Cooking lessons

Friday was Independence Day in the Federation of Bosnia (Republic of Srpska celebrates in January).  It's like our 4th of July but there's no real celebrating here.  I asked our friend if there are parades or fireworks or anything special about the day.  She said "I think no."  It seems to be just a day off for most folks and some of the stores are closed.

Because it was a day off for Iris (branch member), she agreed to come to our house and teach us how to cook some local cuisine.  So the Sisters and I learned how to make burek and cheese pie.  Now I can impress you all with my Bosnian dishes when we return home!

Betty Crocker (aka Sister Fritch) and Martha Stewart (Sister Landon) doing prep work

The genuine cook would make their own dough but we purchased phyllo dough.  Iris said many people use the prepared dough now, as it is so much faster.  The burek filling was ground beef, shredded potatoes and onions, seasoned with salt and lots of pepper.

Iris showing us how to fill the phyllo dough

We all took a turn filling the dough.  Iris is much better and faster than we are.

The pan is full and ready for the oven

Burek can be made in any shape.  Iris usually makes her own dough and rolls it out so it is very long.  Then she fills it and twists the dough around the inside of a large round pan.  We have seen a variety of shapes and sizes in the pekaras (bakery).

While the burek was cooking we made cheese pie.  It is layers of the phyllo dough with a cheese mixture between the layers.  Iris used fresh cheese (cottage cheese), sour cream, eggs and a little milk.  It is the Bosnian version of quiche.

Layering the phyllo and cheese

Ready for the oven

Ready at last!  It was worth the wait.

Apple pie is the same concept as the cheese pie - layers of phyllo and pie filling.  Iris says they call our traditional pie crust "lazy pie" because it is so much easier than making phyllo from scratch.  I have never been good at crust making but think scratch phyllo would be daunting for me.  Pre-made, purchased phyllo sounds just right for my baking skills.  We sent burek home with the Sisters and we ate the last of it for dinner last night.

The Banja Luka Sister Trainers were here early in the week for an exchange.  They were using the Brewers car so on P-day our Elders took our car and they all went to Mostar for the day.  There is an investigator in Mostar they are teaching when they can.  It is two hours away and it would be very difficult for him to attend church.  But we always want to share the gospel and the Elders think it gives them a legitimate reason to keep returning to Mostar!  There is a member living in Mostar that we have tried to find since we arrived in the mission.  The Sisters finally found her at home.  She said she didn't want anything to do with our church anymore and slammed the door in their face.  Such a disappointment.  This is an older woman who has been to the temple.  She moved from her previous branch in Zadar sometime before we arrived.  We wonder what makes such a drastic change in faith occur.

I was the birthday girl on Wednesday.  We had district council at our house that morning.  The Sisters baked a chocolate cake for me and the Elders brought drinks.  We ate some of the cake then I put it in the freezer.  They don't know that's what they're having for dessert today - we certainly didn't need to eat the rest of it and it saved me making another dessert for Sunday dinner.  John took me to dinner at 4 Sobe Gospođe Safije (4 Rooms of Mrs. Sofia).  We've been wanting to try the restaurant for quite awhile.  It is very fancy and certainly an occasion restaurant.  It isn't like Applebees or someplace you might just drop in for dinner any night.

One dining area of 4 Rooms of Mrs Sofia

Very fancy with linen napkins and crystal glasses

We went to dinner early and had the restaurant to ourselves.  John had a steak and I had a pasta dish with veal medallions.  The food was very good and we had a nice evening.  The missionaries all asked what I wished for my birthday.  I told them it is the same wish I have every birthday - that I get to have another birthday next year!

We're been having a spring thaw this week, but know that winter can't be over yet.  It has been nice enough to walk outside again and we have enjoyed some nice long walks around the neighborhood.  The trees have buds and we see the gardeners out preparing the land for planting.  Bosnia is a beautiful place to be in the springtime.