Shopski Spice mix

A colorful spice combination based on savory. Used for dishes with pork, beans and potatoes, stuffed peppers, Shopski cheese in clay pots, oven-baked meats and many others. Its taste and aroma embody the culinary tradition in Shopluka region. Cheerful, playful and memorable just like the Shopluka citizens.

Ingredients:

savory, paprika, parsley, sage, thyme, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander.

Net weight: 30 g

Spizing_Shopski_Mix 1441
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    Cuisine of Shopluka region

    Garlic, leeks, onions, pork, beans and spicy food – these are the first things that come to mind when one thinks about the cuisine of Shopluka region. The locals love spicy and oily food and love to pair it with rakija and it has been like that for centuries. Shopska salad and cheese in clay pots are also associated with Shopluka region, although they were created by Balkantourist. Dishes like Shopska spurja (dish with pork trifles, belly meat, leeks and spices) or Shopska lutenitsa (crushed dry hot peppers with leeks, vinegar and oil) are unique and gourmets value them as masterpieces of Bulgarian cuisine. And to top it all off, lots of beans. And meatballs. And kebabs. Ah yes – and lots of pork like steaks or drusan kebab.

    The colorful character of Shopluka and its citizens is the inspiration of this comforting mixture, we have called Shopski spice mix. The combination of savory, garlic, onion, sage, paprika and other spices is colorful enough for the taste of every food lover.

    Shopski pork kebab

    Ingredients
    • 1 kg pork meat
    • 2 peppers
    • chilies (optional)
    • 3 onions
    • 100 g tomatoes
    • 2-3 tbsp. Shopski spice mix
    • 3-4 garlic cloves
    • 1 tbsp. flour
    • 3 eggs
    • 300 g yogurt
    • parsley
    • salt and black pepper
    Preparation
    1. Cut the meat into 3 cm cubes.
    2. Cut the peppers into large pieces.
    3. Finely chop the onion.
    Cooking
    1. Thread the meat on wooden skewers, alternating with pieces of sweet pepper and optionally hot pepper.
    2. Heat 3 tbsp. oil at high heat and sear the skewers on all sides.
    3. Take out the skewers, reduce the heat to medium and in the same oil cook the onion for 5-6 minutes.
    4. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes before pouring 1 tbsp. flour. Stir vigorously for about a minute.
    5. Add pureed tomatoes, 2 tbsp. Shopski spice mix, 100 ml water and 1 tsp. salt and cook for 5 minutes.
    6. In a baking tray, arrange the skewers on the bottom, pour over the warm mixture and distribute evenly.
    7. In a bowl stir eggs and yogurt with a pinch of salt. Pour in the tray as the final layer.
    8. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 200°C till golden.
    9. Remove from the oven, allow to rest for at least 15 minutes and serve sprinkled with finely chopped parsley.

    Shopski cheese in clay pot

    Ingredients
    • 300 g cheese
    • 2 peppers
    • chilies (optional)
    • 1 tomato
    • Shopski spice mix
    • 50-100 g butter
    • 4 eggs
    • parsley
    • salt and black pepper
    Preparation
    1. Melt the butter.
    2. Slice the tomato and peppers.
    3. Cut the cheese into slices.
    Cooking
    1. Take several small (about 300ml) ovenproof pots and grease them lightly.
    2. At the bottom of each place 3-4 sweet pepper rings and 150g feta cheese.
    3. Sprinkle with Shopski spice mix, place 2-3 slices of tomato on top, and optionally 1 chili pepper.
    4. Drizzle some melted butter.
    5. Bake in a preheated at 200°C oven for 10-15 minutes.
    6. Take out, sprinkle some more Shopski spice mix and in each bowl crack 1 or 2 eggs.
    7. Return to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes or until the eggs are ready.
    8. Serve with finely chopped parsley.
    • Download recipes (pdf)