Source: Marina Strelkova, AdobeStockShopska salad is one of the most popular vegetable salads in Eastern European cuisine. It is especially widespread in Bulgaria, Serbia, and the Czech Republic. Today, we want to share 10 excellent recipes on how to prepare it!
1. Classic Shopska Salad
Source: balabolkina.ruLet's start with the most common recipe, considered a classic.
You will need: 200 g cucumbers, 250 g tomatoes, 250 g bell peppers, 100 g red onion, 150 g brined cheese (brynza), 1 handful of olives, 4 sprigs of parsley, vegetable oil.
Preparation: Wrap the bell peppers in foil and bake them in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius until soft, about 1 hour, then peel and dice them. Dice the brined cheese and all vegetables, finely chop the onion, and mince the parsley. Add halved olives and dress the salad with oil.
2. Shopska Salad with Feta
Source: mykaleidoscope.ruA light version of Shopska salad made with readily available ingredients.
You will need: 2 bell peppers, 3 cucumbers, 300 g cherry tomatoes, 1 onion, 150 g feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, spices.
Preparation: Wrap the bell peppers in foil and bake them in the oven until cooked through. Cut all vegetables into medium pieces, and dice the feta. Season the salad and drizzle it with oil and lemon juice.
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3. Shopska Salad with Suluguni
Source: za-edoy.ruYou can use any other cheese of your choice following the same principle.
You will need: 5 tomatoes, 6 bell peppers, 2 red onions, 3 cucumbers, 200 g suluguni cheese, 1 bunch of parsley, olive oil, vinegar, spices.
Preparation: Bake the bell peppers in foil until soft, peel, and slice them. Slice the onion into thin strips, and dice the remaining ingredients. Mince the parsley. Dress the Shopska salad with oil and vinegar, and season to taste.
4. Shopska Salad with Raw Bell Pepper
Source: za-edoy.ruIf you don't have time to roast the bell pepper, this recipe will help.
You will need: 2 bell peppers, 3 cucumbers, 300 g cherry tomatoes, 1 red onion, 140 g brined cheese (brynza), 1 handful of olives, 1/2 bunch of parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, spices.
Preparation: Thinly slice the onion, and dice the remaining vegetables and brined cheese into uniform cubes. Mince the parsley, season the salad, drizzle with lemon juice, and pour oil over it.
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5. Shopska Salad with Chicken
Source: ideireceptov.ruYou'll need cooked chicken – either fried or baked.
You will need: 300 g cooked chicken, 2 bell peppers, 4 cucumbers, 300 g cherry tomatoes, 1 red onion, 120 g brined cheese (brynza), olive oil, lemon juice, spices.
Preparation: Bake the bell peppers in the oven until soft, then peel and slice them into strips along with the chicken and cucumbers. Thinly slice the onion, dice the brined cheese, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Dress the Shopska salad with olive oil, lemon juice, and spices.
6. Shopska Salad with Ham
Source: vk.comA heartier version of Shopska salad for when you need something more substantial.
You will need: 2 bell peppers, 3 cucumbers, 2 tomatoes, 200 g ham, 1 red onion, 150 g brined cheese (brynza), 4 sprigs of herbs, 1 handful of olives, olive oil, lemon juice, spices.
Preparation: Bake the bell peppers until soft using any convenient method. Thinly slice the onion, and cut the ham and remaining vegetables into medium cubes. Mince the herbs, grate the brined cheese on a coarse grater, and add the olives. Season and dress the salad with oil and lemon juice.
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7. Shopska Salad with Mayonnaise
Source: otdyhateli.comThis recipe is specifically for lovers of mayonnaise dressings.
You will need: 3 bell peppers, 3 cucumbers, 400 g cherry tomatoes, 1 onion, 150 g brined cheese (brynza), 100 g mayonnaise, herbs.
Preparation: Bake the bell peppers in foil at 180 degrees Celsius for about 1 hour, peel, and slice them. Slice the cherry tomatoes into wedges, the onion into thin strips, and the cucumbers into half-moon slices. Grate the brined cheese on a coarse grater, dress the salad with mayonnaise, and sprinkle with herbs.
8. Layered Shopska Salad
Source: dzen.ruThe special feature of this recipe is serving the salad in layers. It's very tasty and beautiful!
You will need: 200 g cucumbers, 250 g tomatoes, 2 bell peppers, 100 g onion, 150 g brined cheese (brynza), 1 handful of olives, 2 sprigs of parsley, vegetable oil.
Preparation: Bake the bell peppers in the oven until soft. Mince the onion, and cut the remaining vegetables into roughly equal pieces. Layer the tomatoes, onion, baked bell pepper, and cucumbers, then drizzle with oil. Sprinkle the salad with grated brined cheese and garnish with olives and parsley leaves.
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9. Shopska Salad with Arugula
Source: dzen.ruEven more aromatic and fresh!
You will need: 2 bell peppers, 3 cucumbers, 2 handfuls of arugula, 2-3 tomatoes, 1 red onion, 150 g brined cheese (brynza), 1 handful of olives, olive oil, lemon juice, spices.
Preparation: Wrap the bell peppers in foil and bake for about 1 hour until soft in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Peel and cut all vegetables into medium pieces, arrange them on the arugula, and add diced brined cheese and olives. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, and spices to taste, and dress the salad.
10. Shopska Salad with Cottage Cheese
Source: ideireceptov.ruAn interesting way to complement Shopska salad is by adding granular cottage cheese.
You will need: 400 g cherry tomatoes, 6 bell peppers, 2 red onions, 3 cucumbers, 150 g granular cottage cheese, 1 bunch of herbs, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, spices.
Preparation: Bake the bell peppers in foil until soft, peel, and slice them. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumbers into rounds, slice the onion into thin strips, and mince the herbs. Mix everything together and dress with oil, apple cider vinegar, and spices. Sprinkle the Shopska salad with granular cottage cheese.