2021 Recap
As we look forward to the new year, we reflect on all of the amazing things 2021 has given us. As Balkan Bites grows and changes to fit new chapters in our lives, we cannot help but reminiscence in the amazing opportunities we've had, people we've met, and burek we've shared.
Air Fry your Burek in 3 Easy Steps
Burek has always been one of the most versatile foods and we've proven that with our endless exploration of flavor combinations. There are so many ways to make burek and so many ways to cook it, too! In addition to baking our flaky phyllo swirls in an oven, you can air fry them in half the time. In three easy steps, you have the perfect addition to any meal.
Balkan Bites' Pandemic Pivot
Until COVID, we were selling our all natural baked burek at outdoor pop-ups in NYC and NJ. In the beginning of the lockdown last March, you asked us how you could still get our burek, so we quickly pivoted to selling them frozen and ready to bake for you to enjoy at home. We drove around NJ and NY delivering burek ourselves!
Flaky Baklava
As our head chef, Alida, explains it, if handmade baklava comes to you as a gift, it means the highest honor and respect. Making baklava from scratch is a laborious process, especially with the layers and layers of paper-thin phyllo dough. These days, most people make baklava from store-bought phyllo because of the convenience. It is still delicious and will surely impress your guests. It’s sweet, nutty, and flaky, and the tartness of the raisins helps balance out the sugary syrup.
Balkan Ćevapi
Family BBQs in the US might evoke thoughts of hamburgers and hot dogs, but in the Balkans, family BBQs involve ćevapi. You might eat five or ten of these thumb-shaped meat thingies in a sitting, usually with somun, or lepinja —a fluffy, triple-rise flatbread made out of milk; kajmak, a Balkan clotted cream; ajvar, a red pepper spread; sliced sweet onions; and a shepherd’s salad. Ćevapi also freeze well uncooked.
Creamy Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Our creamy yogurt sauce recipe was created by our very own head chef and co-founder, Alida. With thick Greek yogurt, refreshing cucumber, and tangy spices, this delicious sauce is the perfect topping for our savory Burek!
Tangy Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
This tangy and delicious red pepper sauce recipe was created by Alida, our head chef and co-founder. Our red pepper sauce is inspired by the flavors of the Balkans and contains olive oil, onion, garlic, and of course, red peppers! These ingredients combine to create a flavorful sauce that is a perfect topping for your Burek!