Popara
(Papara, Попара, Παπάρα)
Popara, the Balkan version of bread mash, is an ancient dish that has been greatly appreciated as a quick and easy solution to use up leftover bread and to feed the whole family in the process. Since it is eaten in many countries across the region, there are many different ways of its preparation.
The two crucial ingredients are bread, diced or torn into smaller pieces, and liquid, usually milk, water, or tea, that is used to blend the bread into a soft mass. The liquid is typically mixed with butter, vegetable oil, or lard to provide a more substantial meal.
The bread can be shortly fried in the combination of liquid and fat, and in some versions, the heated mix is poured over the bread and stirred until it is thoroughly blended. Depending on tradition and preference, popara can be completely homogenous and creamy or it can have a coarse consistency filled with chewy bread pieces. Read more
Since plain popara is mild and neutral in taste, it can be prepared in both savory and sweet versions. Additional ingredients that are commonly used to uplift this nutritious meal include onions, garlic, full-fat cream, fresh cottage cheese, ground red pepper, or sugar in the sweet popara.
It is hard to pinpoint the exact place where this simple and filling dish originated, but it is believed that it was invented out of necessity, during severe hardships, when many ingredients were scarce or hard to obtain. Today, popara remains a popular breakfast meal in many Balkan countries and regions.
Serve with
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Recipe variations
Popara
READY IN 15minThis recipe shows you how to make the most basic version of popara. There's the option to make the salty version which you can enrich by adding cheese, or the sweet version, in which case you have to add only the sugar.
Popara with Onion and Smoked Paprika
READY IN 15minThe frugal popara will not be so frugal if you prepare it according to this recipe, which enriches the basic recipe by also including sautéed onion and toasted paprika.
Popara Authentic recipe
This recipe shows you how to make the most basic version of popara. There's the option to make the salty version which you can enrich by adding cheese, or the sweet version, in which case you have to add only the sugar.
WHERE TO EAT The best Popara in the world (according to food experts)
