Šopska Salata, salad of the Western Balkans

Some folks bring trinkets from far-away lands, littering the shelves of friends and family with exotic tchotchkes. Some send postcards. And some share food.

Matt is the last of these -- the best option, in my opinion. His holiday visit from Serbia brought chocolate filled with Pop Rocks and a bottle of Rakia ("potent" is an understatement. See Rakia in the glass in the photo above, courtesy SoSofia.com).

Also on the Serbian menu: Šopska Salata, a simple Balkan salad. From Matt:

"Šopska Salata, found on every dinner table across almost all areas of the Western Balkans
(for large salad):

• Two tomatoes
• Large cucumber
• Green pepper or similar
• Large Onion (add small hot pepper if you like)
• Firm Feta cheese that you can grate (or substitute Greek Mizithra)
• Oil (traditional: sunflower, lux: Extra Virgin)
• Vinegar (traditional: something real simple, lux: Balsamic)
• Salt, Pepper

Peel and roughly chop/section all veggies and put in bowl, cover with shredded cheese, leaving it on top. Individually season with a spritz of oil and vinegar to taste, same with salt/pepper. Wash it down with copious amounts of Jelen Beer, and serve as a garnish to your giant pile of grilled mixed meat:"


If meat with a side of meat is not on your menu, this salad would be great with with grilled fish, fried chicken or barbecue.