Lepinje Pita Bread Bosnia Herzegovina Recipes

LEPINJA (BALKAN FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam. Stir the warm water and sugar into the yeast mixture.
• Stir the flour and salt together in a separate bowl; add all but about 1/2 cup of the flour mixture to the yeast mixture; mix with your hands until a soft dough forms, adding the last of the flour mixture a little at a time until it clears the sides of the bowl. Cover the bowl with a light cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate, or 'punch down,' the dough and turn out onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour; knead for about 5 minutes. Return the dough to the bowl, cover again with a light cloth, and allow the dough to again rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes more.
• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Deflate the dough and turn turn out onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour; knead lightly. Place the dough onto the prepared baking sheet; shape into an oval about 1/2-inch thick. Set aside to rise a third time for about 30 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned and hollow sounding when thumped, 20 to 25 minutes.

LEPINJE (PITA BREAD) (BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA)

Steps:

• Proof the yeast with the sugar and about 1/2 cup of lukewarm water. Meanwhile, mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• When the yeast is foamy, pour it into the flour with another 1/2 cup of water (approximately, stop when the dough is the right texture. You may need more or less water). Mix well. Your dough should be a little bit sticky.
• Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for five minutes. Shape into a ball and place in a large bowl greased with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let rise in a warm place for an hour or so, or until doubled in size.
• Put the dough back on the floured surface and punch down. Knead again for another minute, then divide into four balls. Brush with olive oil and let rest for 10 or 15 minutes.
• Roll the dough balls with a floured rolling pin until they are roughly the thickness of an extra-thick pizza crust.
• Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet and brush with a bit more olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rest for another half hour or so.
• Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. When the dough has rested remove the towel and plastic and put it in the oven.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

CEVAPI (BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA)

Steps:

• Melt the lard or butter over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent. During the last three minutes or so, add the garlic and keep stirring to prevent burning. Remove the onions and let cool.
• Mix the ground lamb with the ground beef. Add the onion/garlic mixture, egg white and paprika and mix well.
• Shape the meat into unappetizing looking little cylinders, which are the traditional shape. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Pan fry the cevapi in a little olive oil until nicely browned.
• To serve, cut the pita breads in half and make a pocket in each one. Stuff a few finely chopped onions inside the pita, then add the cevapi and top with a few more of the onions.