Proja

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 45 mins – 60 mins Difficulty: Easy Serves: 6
kcal fat saturates carbs
350 15g 3g 35g
sugars fibre protein salt
2g 8g 10g 0.4g

About Proja

Welcome to our exploration of Proja, a flavor-packed bread originating from the Balkans. Often called Balkan Cornbread in Western countries, Proja is far from your typical loaf. It’s a hearty masterpiece that, despite its simplicity, provides a diverse, rich flavor profile that feels both comforting and captivating. It’s the kind of bread that builds loyalty – once you’ve tried it, you’ll find yourself coming back for more.

The Soul of Proja

Every bite of Proja is a taste tour, melding the nutty flavor of cornmeal with the robust taste of crumbled feta cheese. It’s wonderfully rich but without overwhelming your palate. The use of plain yogurt not only adds to your culinary journey but gives this loaf its distinctively moist, crumbly texture. You wouldn’t typically find these elements in ordinary loafs, making Proja stand out in the bread world.

Proja

The Versatility of Proja

Consider Proja the chameleon of bread. It effortlessly fits into different culinary contexts. Proja can be that warm, homemade loaf you reach for during breakfast, slathered with butter or your favourite spread. It can be the perfect accompaniment to a hearty stew or soup, much like a soda bread. Evenly slice and serve it as a delectable side to a leafy, fresh salad. Or perhaps, you’d want it as the earthy base in a dish of savory bread pudding.

A Bread of Tradition

More than being versatile, Proja is steeped in tradition. Much like the well-loved naan of South Asia or the iconic brioche from France, Proja represents a significant piece of Balkan food culture and carries with it stories of generations. It bears witness to times of scarcity when resourceful cooks made thrilling dishes out of humble ingredients.

However, it’s not just a bread of the past. As various global cuisine trends lean towards rich, wholesome flavors and back-to-roots methods, Proja is as relevant as ever. So why not embrace the simplicity and savor the richness of the Balkans in your kitchen today? It’s time to celebrate Proja!

What You’ll Need

  • 1.5 cups of cornmeal
  • 0.5 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1.5 cups of plain yogurt
  • 0.5 cup of sunflower oil
  • 200g of feta cheese, crumbled
ALLERGENS: cornmeal, all-purpose flour, eggs, plain yogurt, feta cheese

Method

Step One

Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Also, grease a baking dish and set it aside.

Step Two

In a large bowl, mix your dry ingredients – 1.5 cups of cornmeal, 0.5 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Make sure they are thoroughly combined.

Step Three

In a separate bowl, beat two large eggs. Add 1.5 cups of plain yogurt and 0.5 cup of sunflower oil to the eggs. Mix until these ingredients are well combined.

Step Four

Slowly add your liquid ingredients to the dry ones. Stir gently until you’ve combined them into a well-mixed batter. There should be no pockets of dry ingredients left.

Step Five

Stir in your 200g of crumbled feta cheese. Ensure it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step Six

Pour your batter into the previously greased baking dish. Smooth out the top slightly with a spatula.

Step Seven

Bake your Proja in the preheated oven. It should take about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

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