Pogace with Peppers and Yogurt

A Recipe from the Heart: Mrs. Shyrete Tahiri Sulimani’s Pogace with Peppers and Yogurt

With a huge smile and joy in our hearts, we bring to you today Mrs. Shyrete Tahiri Sulimani, an economist from Gjilan living in Canada. She embodies the essence of a typical Albanian mother, whose cooking not only recalls her mother’s recipes through the tastes and aromas but also keeps her presence close through these cherished traditions. While cooking, she also thinks of her own daughters, passing along healthy and easy recipes that fit their busy lifestyles. The wit, the love, and the joy she transmits through her culinary creations are contagious, and we’re so grateful for her presence. We hope you will enjoy this recipe as much as we did.

Ingredients:

For the Pogace:

• 8 cups flour
• 2 cups yogurt
• 5 eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Salt to taste

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 2 peppers
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

Pour the yogurt into a large mixing bowl. Crack the eggs one by one, adding them to the yogurt. Mix together until fully combined, enjoying the creamy texture and rich color.

Gradually add the flour to the mixture, a little at a time, stirring continuously. As you mix, the dough will start to come together. Aim for a medium consistency—smooth and cohesive, but not too stiff.

While mixing, sprinkle in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Blend everything well, ensuring the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Using a large spoon, scoop spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.

Mrs. Shyhrete jokes that this recipe is her daughters’ favorite because they don’t have to touch the dough, making it both convenient and fun.

 Place the cookie sheet in a preheated oven at 380°F (190°C). Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the pogace have a beautiful reddish-golden color on top. The aroma that fills your kitchen will remind you of home and family gatherings.

While the pogace are baking, prepare the dipping sauce. Clean the peppers, cut them in half, and remove the seeds. Place the peppers in the oven to roast until the skins blister and can be easily removed.

Using a spatula to hold the hot peppers, chop them into small pieces. The warmth of the peppers will make them easy to handle and chop finely.

Add the chopped peppers to a bowl of yogurt. Sprinkle in the salt and mix well. The heat from the peppers will blend beautifully with the creamy yogurt, creating a delicious and refreshing dipping sauce.

Once the pogace are baked to perfection, serve them warm with the yogurt-pepper dipping sauce. The combination of the soft, savory bread and the tangy, spicy sauce is sure to delight your taste buds and bring a smile to your face.

This recipe,  featured in the “Eating Albanian” cookbook show from Votra Inc., is filled with love and tradition. It’s a wonderful way to connect with your heritage and share a piece of home with your family. Enjoy!