How to experience a taste of Transylvania even from far away
Author - Noémi from Transylvania
Where is Transylvania and what are the characteristics of this ethnic group?
Transylvania is a small territory in the middle of Romania, which is in Europe. In the past it was a part of Hungary. During those years the Romanians had an influence on our eating habits, our language and, a lot of other things. Many people made a living from farming and animal husbandry. The villagers needed nutrient-rich and filling meals to be able to withstand the whole day's physical work.
Why is it important to experience new things?
I think it gives you a larger picture about the World. It is intriguing to see into other culture's lives and habits.
Personally I get bored of food quickly, so I am thankful for the internet because I can try different culture's recipes.
Let's see two delicious and interesting foods
Specialties, worth a try!
Everyone knows green lettuce, in most countries it is used in its raw form, for salads or decorations. It has many beneficial effects:
Lettuce is a source of vitamin K, which helps strengthen bones. Helps with hydration, because water makes up over 95% of raw lettuce. Lettuce is a source of vitamin A, which plays a role in eye health. Extracts of multiple lettuce types have also shown to promote sleep. In our country we make soup from it. It is strange to many foreigners, but it is flavoursome. It is one of my favourite foods. I wrote the recipe for you, if you want to try it!
Lettuce soup (saláta leves) My favourite thing in this meal is the combination of flavours: the lettuce is a little bit bitter, the vinegar has the sourness, the sugar gives the sweetness and the bacon is salty.
Ingredients: 1 whole lettuce 3 cloves of garlic 1 whole onion 200g of bacon + the bacon skin (to taste) 4 eggs 200 ml of milk 2,5-3 L of water 1 tablespoon of flour 2 tablespoon of vinegar salt,pepper ( to taste) approx. 2 tablespoon of paprika spice 2-4 tablespoons sugar( I really love this soup when its sweeter, but if its too much for you, you can skip it or add to taste.)
Instructions:
Heat the soup pot, then add bacon and the bacon skin. When it releases its fat, remove the bacon and put it in the pan, the bacon skin can remain in the soup pot with the fat.
Chop the garlic and the onions in little pieces, and saute them for 5 minutes Stir in the garlic and cook for a further minute. When the onion is soft you can add the paprika. Be careful, to not let it burn
Pour in the water and let it boil for 15 minutes.
During this time in the pan, with the bacon, add 4 eggs and fry them into an omelette. Make it hard, but not dry!
After15 minutes, season the soup broth with salt, pepper and sugar.
Chop the lettuce into medium sized pieces, put it in the soup and boil it for 5 minutes.
Mix well the milk with the flour and then add a tablespoon of soup stock to balance the heat differences.
Pour it in the pot and stir often.
Cut the omelette into "small" pieces and add to the soup.
Add vinegar and if necessary, flavour afterwards.
Another interesting soup in my country is the "belly soup" (pacal leves). It is made of calf belly, and it has a creamy stock with some vegetables. It is a great food, my favourite. The "belly" may be a little bit terrifying, but it is really soft and delicious if you make it right.
Bonus!
There is something that is the most authentic food among us. It is cheap, filling and delicious. Can you guess? Maybe not. It is the greasy bread. Usually we use pork fat, but it may be tastier with duck fat. It is the best with fresh homemade sourdough bread, but it will be delicious with other breads too. If I don't have fresh bread I prefer toast bread. Tomatoes and green onions are essential. And if it is winter mint tea is the finest option as a drink.
If you want to hear some other specialties, recipe's (or just the belly soup recipe) , let me know!
Author - Noémi from Transylvania
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