The Smokehouse serves as the outdoor kitchen in the hot Bosnian Summer.
What would Pava and Petar do without the Smoke House in the summer? Two years ago it was 50 degrees Celsius in the shade when I was here. The growing season is long and the temperature has been very hot here since April. Cooking in the smoke house means that Pava can keep her house a dark and cool sanctuary for her to nap during the sizzling afternoons. They sure have this little house stocked! Ever morning Petar makes his coffee here, and Pava prepares the evening meal in the coolness of the early morning.
These two do everything together. Currently, they are making a late evening meal of eggs and salad. She has a gas stove and oven in the smoke house and a two burner gas stove top that she is currently using above, as well. For bigger jobs, like jam making, there is the wood burning stove in the open garage.
Everyone in the Balkans has an outdoor sink. Everyone. It sure comes in handy when you cook in the smoke house! And, nothing goes to waste! The hot heat from the son heats huge bottles of water left under the sink all day so there is hot water for dishes in the evening. Believe me, it is still hot!
TIME FOR PALACINKA!
See what looks like a trap door in the left photo below just behind Pava’s feet? That’s where Petar builds his smoky fire in the fall to smoke his meat for the winter.
Can you see in the photo above to the right that there are a couple of beer drinking buddies waiting for some palacinka?
HEY! Great flip! Palacinka are exactly like crepes and common everywhere throughout the Balkans. Everyone makes them, and you can buy them on the street anywhere for about a dollar.
Vanja has apricot jam on his, and I have a little with some walnuts. Most people prefer Euro Creme on theirs which has become more popular than Nutella. Most likely because it is cheaper. It is also half white and half milk chocolate.
All rolled up and ready to go! YUM. But, never enough for Vanja.
PALACINKA (Balkan Crepes)
Scrumptious Balkan crepe recipe
Servings: 16 Crepes
Equipment
- 1 Non-stick 9-inch frying pan or crepe pan (no need for oil if using a non-stick pan)
Ingredients
- 350 grams flour
- 2 large eggs
- 480 grams whole milk, or two cups
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 240 grams water, or one cup approximately use only as much as needed to create a batter as thin as heavy cream
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, but the water into a Thermomix or a blender, and blend until completely smooth (In Thermomix, speed 3-5 for 1 minute)
- Add half of the water and continue to blend until batter is as thin as heavy cream, adding more water, as needed (In Thermomix, speed 3-5 for 15-30 seconds after each addition of water; you may have to add a little bit more or a little bit less water
- Rest batter covered in fridge for 15-30 minutes (optional, but improves flavour)
- Heat pan until smoking hot
- Ladle approximately 1/2 cup of batter into pan tilted to one side taking care to not spill batter out of the pan, swirl it until it coats the bottom evenly and there are no ‘holes, then return to heat and cook 60-90 seconds on one side flipping to finish cooking about 30 sconds on the reverse side
- Repeat last step until batter is used and 15-16 crepes are made serving immediately with homemade jams or Nutella. See notes for options.
Notes
Palacinka can be filled with sweet or savory fillings. The family favourite at Pava's was her homemade apricot jam. Most love Nutella. Whipping cream was never added there, but is also a fun addition.
My personal favourite (beside Pava's homemade apricot jam) is to sprinkle the hot crepe lighly with granulated sugar and then squeeze juice from 1/2 a fresh lemon over it. Delivious!
yes you do need to get the recipe!! and some apricot jam please!
How wonderful, I want an outdoor kitchen. What makes this all so magical is the warmth of the human touch working and eating side by side. You don’t need a palace, all you need is love.
Didn’t someone write a song like that?
Lauren you are correct!
Just seeing these pictures brought back warm memories of living with you on the north side. When they came to visit, and Pava made them, oh how she made them, and we ate them… OH how we ate them! Apricot Jam, nutella, or just with icing sugar or plain. mmmm I think Maki ate more than Vanja!