Zaljanica

This is Croatia’s version of Spanakopita. It is easy to make and remarkably tasty.

[Note: you won’t be able to buy fresh cheese in the U.S. I have it on good authority. The recommended substitutions is a combination of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and feta, which feta added in smaller proportion since it is very strongly flavored. (Thanks Luka!)]

Zaljanica

½ kilogram spinach
½ kilo fresh cheese
1 package phyllo dough
5 eggs
8 oz sour cream
2 deciliters yogurt
1 deciliters oil
1-2 deciliters mineral water
½ packet baking powder (approx 1 Tablespoon)
2 small spoons salt

mix all ingredients except phyllo dough
set one sheet phyllo dough aside
tear remaining phyllo dough into small pieces and soak thoroughly in mixture
place soaked dough in a greased oven dish
pour any remaining liquid over dough
cover in reserved phyllo sheet
poke holes in top sheet with a toothpick

let the dish rest for half an hour

cover the top sheet with oil and place it in a 200 degree Celsius oven for 1 hour
after ½ hour, cover the top with sour cream

It is amazingly tasty and very simple to make and will feed a large crowd.

Recipe courtesy of Mrs. Jadoga Plačko