Top 3 Easy-to-Make Croatian Dishes

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Croatia is a beautiful and diverse country, located on the Adriatic Sea. It's considered a modern country, with a rich culture and a long history.

Please welcome guest author Joseph Bryson of Food Fire Friends, an information source about all things BBQ. In this article, he’ll show you how to make three of the best easy-to-make Croatian dishes. If you need any help with a grill or anything BBQ-related, head to Food Fire Friends to see what wisdom they can impart .

Croatia has many seaside towns and villages, which are popular tourist destinations.

The cuisine of Croatia is also quite varied, with many different dishes that are both easy to make and delicious. Here are three of the best easy-to-make Croatian dishes:

1. Crni rižot (Black risotto)

Ingredients:

• 1 can of black squid ink

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 cups of Arborio rice

• 6 cups of chicken or seafood broth

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• ½ teaspoon of black pepper

• ¼ cup of parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add the garlic and onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the Arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute or until lightly toasted.

3. Pour in the chicken or seafood broth and increase the heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender.

4. Stir in the squid ink and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 1 minute more, then stir in the parsley before serving.

2. Roast lamb

Ingredients:

• 1 whole leg of lamb, deboned and tied

• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon of salt

• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper

• 3 tablespoons of olive oil, divided

• ½ cup of dry white wine

• ½ cup of chicken or beef broth

• ¼ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon of honey

• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary leaves

• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme leaves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a small bowl, mix together the cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the leg of lamb to evenly coat it.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-proof pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lamb and cook until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

4. Add the white wine, chicken or beef broth, lemon juice, honey, rosemary leaves, and thyme leaves to the pan and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.

5. Return the lamb to the pan and spoon some of the sauce over it to coat. Roast in the oven, uncovered, for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until the lamb is cooked through (internal temperature should be 145 degrees F (63 degrees C)).

6. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into thick slices. Serve with the remaining sauce spooned over top.

3. Pasticada

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ pounds of beef chuck roast, trimmed and tied

You can use beef round as well, depending on your preferences or any other hearty beef cut but the chuck and the round give the genuine taste and feel of the original dish. 

• ¼ cup of all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper

• 3 tablespoons of olive oil, divided

• 1 large onion, diced

• 6 cloves of garlic, minced

• 2 bay leaves

• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste

• 1 cup of red wine

• 4 cups of beef broth

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes, drained

• ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. Place the beef chuck roast in a large bowl. Sprinkle with flour, salt, and black pepper, then toss to evenly coat.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-proof pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until evenly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

5. Stir in the bay leaves and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the red wine and bring to a boil, then cook for 2 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half.

6. Return the beef to the pan and add the beef broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 1 ½ hours or until the beef is tender.

7. Stir in the parsley just before serving. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti or other pasta of your choice.

More Popular Dishes of Croatian Cuisine

Some other popular dishes in Croatian cuisine include ćevapčići (minced meat patties), roast beef with maneštra (a traditional Croatian stew), fish dishes, pasta dishes, and salads. These dishes are not only delicious, but they're also relatively easy to make, making them perfect for home cooks who want to try something new.

Roast beef with maneštra is another popular Croatian dish that is often served during the holidays. This hearty stew is made from beef, potatoes, carrots, and a variety of other vegetables. It's usually served with a dollop of sour cream on top, and it can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish.

Fish dishes are also popular in Croatia. One of the most common fish dishes is bakalar (dried cod), which is often served as an appetizer. This dish is prepared by soaking the dried cod in water, and then baking it. Bakalar is typically served with boiled potatoes and a topping of olive oil and chopped onions.

Aside from these, pasta dishes are also popular in Croatia. Some of the most common pasta dishes include makaruli (a type of macaroni), fuži (a type of pasta made from semolina flour), and ravioli. These dishes are typically served with a tomato-based sauce, and they can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish.

Finally, salads – One of the most common salads is mjenduni (anchovies), which is made from marinated anchovies, red onions, and a variety of other ingredients. This dish can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a side dish, and it's perfect for those who want to try something light and refreshing.

Overall, there are many delicious dishes in Croatian cuisine that are sure to please any palate. Whether you're looking for hearty main courses or light appetizers, there's something for every taste!

Croatian cuisine has been heavily influenced by the cuisines of other countries throughout its history. Italian, Turkish, and French cuisines have had the most notable impacts, resulting in a variety of pasta dishes, meat dishes, and dessert recipes that are popular in Croatia today.

If you're looking to try some authentic Croatian food, we recommend starting with one of these classic ones.

Author Bio:

Joseph was born in Alberta, raised in NYC and is living in New Zealand. He has been working in 4 different industries and helped numerous businesses grow. Now, he is focused on writing as his next career from home and lives a peaceful life with his family and a whole pack of dogs!