OUR CUISINE IS ALL ABOUT MEATS AND ROASTS

Serbians are known to have a great passion for food, which has been developed thanks to a rich and diverse cuisine that offers a great variety of tastes. The cuisine shares Middle Eastern and European influences, and boasts different types of dishes such as pies, Turkish pastries, noodles, and fish recipes inspired from Hungarian dishes.

The hearty kitchens across the country have learned the intricate art of balancing rich meats, spices, cheese, pastries, and desserts; to create a truly unique and rich cuisine. Serbian dishes are all about meats and roasts, hence barbeque, grilling or frying are popular cooking methods. The national dishes include Pljeskavica, a ground beef patty that can give the fast food burger chains a run for their money and the Ćevapi, meat kebabs. To sample the authentic taste in Dubai, head to Rolling Pin café in JLT (044483335) and tuck into their flavoursome Ćevapi.

More traditional food items include soups, stews, smoked and minced meats, and stuffed vegetables. Fish is often used in chowders, while large quantities of bread are consumed with both starters and main courses. Salads are made from a variety of fresh and pickled vegetables such as beans and sauerkraut. Most meals are incomplete without a dollop of Kajmak, a fermented and skimmed heavy cream. Also, grilled, cooked, fried or baked paprika are a mainstay.

A much-loved pastry is Burek made of thin flaky dough that can be filled with cheese, minced meat or mushrooms. These can be enjoyed without a filling or can be filled with cherries and had as dessert. In the city, Man’oushe Street (600566667) serves up stuffed and baked Bureks in beef, chicken, potato, and cheese versions. Their desserts can range from Middle Eastern Baklava to Viennese cakes, which are enjoyed with cups of hot domaća kafa (Turkish coffee).

Burek A baked speciality, it is often served with yoghurt and can be had at any time of the day. The pastry is layered with cheese, minced meat or greens.

Ćevapi The Balkan variation of kebabs, it is a delicious grilled dish of minced meat, served in a flatbread with onions, sour cream, feta cheese, and fries.

Pljeskavica The national dish of Serbia, it is made of ground meat, cheese, and spices — shaped into a mouth-watering patty and is served with onions.

ajvar This is a pepper-based relish made from red bell peppers, garlic, eggplant, and chilli peppers. It can be sweet, piquant or very hot.

Vanilice These irresistible sandwich cookies are made with lots of butter and vanilla, and have a soft plum or apricot jam filling, and are rolled in icing sugar.

Gibanica A traditional pastry dish made with cheese and eggs. Recipes can range from sweet to savoury and from simple to rich multi-layered cakes.