Shopska Salata is a traditional Bulgarian salad known for its refreshing taste and vibrant colors that mirror the Bulgarian flag. It’s a staple in Bulgarian cuisine and is often enjoyed during the warm months due to its crisp and cooling properties.
Shopska Salata Recipe:
Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 200g Bulgarian white brine cheese (sirene), grated or crumbled
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 2-3 tablespoons sunflower oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, and red onion.
- Drizzle the vegetables with sunflower or olive oil and red wine vinegar. Add salt to taste and toss gently to combine.
- Top the salad with a generous amount of grated or crumbled sirene cheese.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Shopska Salata’s beauty lies in its simplicity, allowing the fresh flavors of the vegetables to shine through, complemented by the tangy sirene cheese. It’s a versatile dish that can serve as a light lunch or an accompaniment to a heartier meal, embodying the essence of Bulgarian culinary tradition.