Mekike and Uštipci - A Yorkshire pudding?
Mekike and Uštipci - A Yorkshire pudding?
These are traditional dishes made of kneaded dough that is deep fried, similar to Hungarian lángos and British Yorkshire pudding.
David writes,
Hello and welcome to another multi-media newsletter from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
If you’d like to help the newsletter, you can Buy Me a Coffee.
I appreciate your faithful readership, your comments, and your generosity!
THANKS SO MUCH to Natalie, Patricia, Gordon and Lana for your support ❤️
WTF is it with Humanity?
This is a rant, I know, and maybe I shouldn’t put it at the start of the newsletter, but I am really p****d off!
The other afternoon, Tamara thought she had found a distressed mouse on our driveway. We have three cats who patrol not only our property but the wider area, so go figure.
It’s nature right?
However, on further investigation, what was thought to be a mouse was a tiny, grey fur, KITTEN.
The kitten was distressed, and only maybe a few weeks old. Its eyes were still not fully opened, but it could totter about on its tiny legs.
A shock. How could a kitten like that manage to get on our drive? The only solution we can come to, is that, yet again, someone has just dumped it.
What sort of a human being does such a thing?
As a Buddhist inclined person, I firmly believe in Karma. Say no more.
The kitten (not named at present), is being bottle fed by Tamara every 3 hours. We can’t determine gender yet. So it’s an IT.
IT is a happy soul now. At least I think so.
Update.
We are assuming it’s a male and have named him Akiva.
Akiva is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Akiva is "protect (defender), shelter (home)".
It is Aalso the Hebrew form of Jacob.
Anyway, onto this weeks newsletter.
This Week's Vlog.
Foreigners in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As you know, I am uber passionate about living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lots, and I mean Lots, of people really find it difficult to understand how I can be so passionate.
I recently started to talk to other foreigners who have settled here like me, to see how they view the country, and am beginning to publish those interviews if you will, as podcasts.
Ivy Šibinčic is from the Philippines, now living in a village near the town of Prnjavor.
Married to Slaven, and with two sweet children, Ivy is an evangelist for sustainable living. Almost totally “Off Grid”, the Šibinčić’s are leading their own eco campaign in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In this podcast, Ivy not only talks about her passion for her way of life, but how she’s adapted to a completely different culture than she was used to back in Asia.
Making Uštipci and Mekike.
Uštipci Origin.
The origin of uštipci is not well documented. In different countries, there are different types of fried doughs, more or less similar to uštipci. Such as oliebollen from the Netherlands, zeppole from Italy, beignets from France and krapfen from Austria.
According to one theory, uštipci originates from Dalmatian Zagora in Croatia. They were made here as a native version of the Italian zeppole and from there spread throughout the Balkans.
The word itself comes from the verb uštinuti, which can be translated as nip, tweak or pinch. In fact, the dough it is made of is very similar to bread dough, just a bit diluted. It is assumed that small pieces of this dough were nipped and fried in oil, hence the name.
As is the case with many traditional dishes, and for uštipci there are countless variations of recipes. You will find somewhere that baking powder is used instead of yeast, and some use yogurt.
Here’s how Tamara made Mekike for breakfast today:
Mekike is also a traditional dish made of kneaded dough made with yogurt that is deep fried.
They are similar to Hungarian lángos and British Yorkshire pudding. Mekike is conventionally a breakfast dish.
Ingredients:
180gr of yogurt
400gr flour
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tsp salt
Mix the dry ingredients and in a separate bowl mix the wet ingredients. Combine everything together by adding flour gradually and make a nice soft dough. Use a rolling pin to stretch the dough on the working surface. The thickness of the dough should be about 1/2 centimeter. Cut the dough into little rectangles and make a hole in the middle. Heat the oil and fry each rectangular 1-2 minutes on each side. The oil shouldn't be too hot, but hot enough to fry them. This fried bread doesn't soak up the oil. But some people also put one shot of rakija in the dough to prevent the dough from soaking up the oil while frying them.
Here is a video that you can watch to help you with the process.
It is very easy to make and it takes only about 10-20 minutes. I tried many different recipes and this one is far the best. You can eat them with kajmak, cream cheese, jam, chocolate spread or anything you want even with cinnamon and sugar. They are tasty like homemade donuts. Bon appetit!
AudioMo.
#AudioMo is an annual audio challenge held during the month of June. Participants record a piece of audio every day during the month and publish on Twitter using the hashtag #audiomo.
People taking part are from diverse backgrounds and from a wide variety of countries.
Some post their thoughts, some micro audio documentaries, others get creative with posting soundscapes.
AudioMo is now in its eleventh year.
My contribution this year will be my stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
If you would like to join in this rather fun event, its easy. Just start posting audio using the hashtag.
If you need any further info or advice just from me line.
What to Watch.
Tamara and I are addicts of “World TV”, (read World OnLine Series). It’s fascinating to get insights into other cultures through thoset culture’s productions.
Our top tip this week, is from the UAE. “The Platform” is about an open source website, exposing extremist networks around the world, tracking a Turkish mafia in the Black Sea that sends arms and extremists to Libya, under the guise of running a cosmetics company .
Highly Highly Recommended.
Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina - UPDATE.
As of this newsletter, Foreigners can enter the country with a valid PCR test or proof of full vaccination. No requirement for Quarantine or Self Isolation in that case.
Airlines are now starting to operate into the country and Wizz Air and RyanAir have commenced flights into Banja Luka.
Other destinations including Montenegro, with Air Montenegro, commence soon.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is still on the UK AMBER List. So do please come and visit.
This is such a beautiful country to visit especially if you like a more sedate travel pace.
Please conduct your own due diligence before travelling!
Restrictions are still in place and policed but are relaxed compared to most countries.
Want to Work Remotely from the Western Balkans?
Continuing our information on what is becoming the new Digital Nomad location.
Check out this story from 3 Nomads now in Serbia.
What’s your take on the concept of Digital Nomadism?
And Finally.
That's our update from our village here in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina for this week.
We hope you like our new way of creating our weekly newsletter.
We hope you'll continue to follow our adventures, and to engage with questions and comments.
We are always so excited when we receive them.
PLEASE, do stay safe wherever you are.
💌 Help the newsletter grow by sharing it with a friend or colleague.
Thanks for the update, so upsetting about the kitten but wondeful you are looking after it take care all the best