Comfort Soups from Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo, originally Tarnovgrad , grew quickly to become the strongest Bulgarian fortification of the Middle Ages between the 12th and 14th centuries and the most important political, economic, cultural and religious centre of the empire. In the 14th century, the city was described by Bulgarian cleric Gregory Tsamblak as "a very large city, handsome and surrounded by walls, with 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants"  Welcome to the ‘City of the Tsars.’ From 1185 to 1396, Veliko Tarnovo was the political and cultural capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The empire collapsed by 1422, but the city survived.

Veliko Tarnovo is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the city is situated on the three hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. On Tsarevets are the palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral, and also a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls.

Bulgarian cuisine is a representative of the cuisine of Eastern Europe. It shares characteristics with other Balkans cuisines. Bulgarian cooking traditions are diverse because of geographical factors such as climatic conditions suitable for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruit. Aside from the vast variety of local Bulgarian dishes, Bulgarian cuisine shares a number of dishes with the Russian, Turkish, and Greek.  Please Note:  clicking images and underlined words wait 5 seconds then skip ad.

Bulgarian Cabbage Soup

1 medium-sized Cabbage head (cubed)
1 stalk    Leek (sliced into rings)
1 small Celeriac (coarsely chopped)
6 garlic cloves (chopped)
3 Onions (chopped)
2 sun-dried tomatoes (in oil)
1 pinch    Salt
1 teaspoon Sugar
5 cups chicken broth
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 vegetable broth cubes (cube)
add Salt
add Pepper         Full Recipe Here

Bob Chorba - Easy Bulgarian bean soup

2 large onions
3 medium size carrots
2 largeish garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tbsp sweet paprika
1 tsp chilli flakes
1/2 dl tomato concentrate
1/2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 cans (á 400 g/ 240 g) large white bean, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 l vegetable or chicken stock
4 tbsp fresh spearmint (or 2 tbsp dried), roughly chopped          Full Recipe Here

Bulgarian Pitka Bread with Butter and Honey (homemade Cresent rolls)

Prep time 2 hours 30 mins
Cook time 40 mins
Total time 3 hours 10 mins

3 oz yogurt at room temperature
2/3 cup + 1-2 tbsp warm water
1 tsp yeast
1/2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter, melted + about 2 more melted tbsp for greasing
1 large egg, separated into white and yolk
17 oz all-purpose flour
honey                Full Recipe Here