{"id":"pogaca_b9b32fc649","slug":"pogaca-traditional-balkan-bread","title":"Pogača (Traditional Balkan Bread)","description":"A rustic, pillowy soft, and buttery Eastern European bread with a golden-brown crust. Perfectly served warm for breakfast or during festive gatherings.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":35,"totalMinutes":145,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"4","usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250ml warm milk","name":"Milk","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"Around 38°C (100°F)","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"7g dry yeast","name":"Yeast","quantity":7,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.25,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dry","notes":"1 packet","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tsp sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"To activate yeast","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 large eggs","name":"Egg","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"large","notes":"One for dough, one for egg wash","group":"Dough/Glaze","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"50g unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.76,"usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"Unsalted","group":"Dough","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the warm milk, sugar, and dry yeast","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, one egg, and melted butter. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead for 8-10 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.","group":"Dough","title":"Combine the flour, salt, one egg, and melted butter","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.","group":"Dough","title":"Place the dough in a greased bowl","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf or divide into smaller balls and arrange them in a circular pattern in a greased baking pan. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.","group":"Shaping","title":"Punch down the dough and shape it","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F). Brush the top of the dough with a beaten egg (the second egg). You can sprinkle with sesame or nigella seeds if desired.","group":"Baking","title":"Preheat the oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake for 30-35 minutes","timerMinutes":35,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"For the softest crust, cover the hot bread with a clean kitchen towel for 10 minutes immediately after taking it out of the oven. This bread pairs beautifully with honey, jam, or salty feta cheese.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan"]},"course":["side","appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["Large mixing bowl","9-inch round baking pan","Kitchen towel","Pastry brush"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"loaf","note":"Round pull-apart style"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be prepared and kept in the fridge overnight for a slow first rise. Bring to room temperature before shaping."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container or bread box at room temperature.","reheatingNotes":"Warm in a 150°C (302°F) oven for 5 minutes to restore softness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpogaca_b9b32fc649%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b3bfc00b-6787-4df6-af43-acdd7044c053","imageAlt":"Pogača (Traditional Balkan Bread) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["bread","balkan","rustic","soft bread","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Pogača (Traditional Balkan Bread)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:02:43.652Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:02:43.652Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_943b7108be","slug":"buckwheat-porridge-hrechana-kasha","title":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha)","description":"A nutritious, nutty, and comforting Eastern European staple. This fluffy buckwheat porridge is a healthy, gluten-free dish that is perfect for breakfast or as a hearty side.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_943b7108be%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7dd38cb8-7bb4-48fd-b6e8-db1d1eed0a49","imageAlt":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","gluten-free","grains","comfort food","ukrainian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"kofola_b1c75f3da4","slug":"homemade-kofola-style-botanical-cola","title":"Homemade Kofola-Style Botanical Cola","description":"A refreshing, caffeine-infused herbal soda with deep notes of caramel, licorice, and citrus, inspired by the iconic Eastern European soft drink.","serves":10,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Czech","Slovak"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkofola_b1c75f3da4%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=67cc5ce9-b348-424d-9e84-52c009097637","imageAlt":"Homemade Kofola-Style Botanical Cola — recipe cover","tags":["kofola","homemade soda","herbal drink","botanical beverage","eastern europe","cola"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"limonada_90a60e65ae","slug":"lemonade-limonada","title":"Lemonade (Limonadă)","description":"A refreshing, classic Eastern European style lemonade, perfectly balancing the zesty tartness of fresh lemons with the sweetness of sugar or honey.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Romanian"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Flimonada_90a60e65ae%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d7c2befe-e072-4487-8949-47985c73775e","imageAlt":"Lemonade (Limonadă) — recipe cover","tags":["lemonade","refreshing","citrus","cold drink","summer"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}