Traditional bulgarian dish

---------------------------------------------Banitsa

Ingredients----------

butter

phyllo sheets

yogurt

feta cheese

baking soda/powder

eggs

Some varieties include spinach—"спаначник" (spanachnik)—or a sweet version, with milk—"млечна баница" (mlechna banitsa)—or pumpkin—"тиквеник" (tikvenik).

Cooking instructions

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• Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas 4. Grease a 20cm round baking dish with butter. In a mixing bowl, lightly whisk together the eggs, yogurt and oil.

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• Lay one sheet of pastry out on your work surface and drizzle over some of the egg and yogurt mixture. Scatter over some feta and then roll up the pastry from one of the short sides, into a cigar shape. Place in the prepared baking dish, following the edge. Repeat with the remaining sheets of pastry, spiralling the rolls until the dish is full. Spoon any remaining egg and yogurt mixture into any gaps in the coil and then dot the top with butter.

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• Bake for 45 minutes, or until risen and golden brown. Remove from the oven, cover with a clean cloth and leave to cool until warm.

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-Serving-

-Banitsa is served with plain yogurt, ayran, or boza (fermented beverage). It can be eaten hot or cold.

Something more

Traditionally in Bulgaria, lucky charms are put into the pastry on certain occasions, particularly on New Year's Eve.

These charms may be coins or small symbolic objects. More recently, people have started writing happy wishes on small pieces of paper and wrapping them in tin foil.

Wishes may include happiness, health, or success throughout the new year.