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Princesi
Princesi (принцеси): toasted open sandwiches spread with seasoned pork and beef mince
Bulgarian children grow up on princesi, the 'princesses' that parents slide into the oven for a quick Saturday breakfast or a late supper, and Sofia cafés sell them by the plateful. Slices of bread are spread with a thin layer of mince, usually half pork and half beef, seasoned with grated onion, cumin, savory and paprika, then baked until the meat is browned and the bread underneath turns crunchy; grated kashkaval cheese on top is a popular extra. A meat-free version uses egg and white cheese instead. Serve hot with a tomato and cucumber salad or a glass of ayran. Where most people go wrong is spreading the mince too thickly, so the top browns before the meat is cooked through; keep it to about 5 mm. Chef's tip: spread the mince with a wet spoon right to the crust edges, which stops the exposed bread from burning.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 5 ½ oz pork mince
- 5 ½ oz beef mince
- 1 small onionfinely grated
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried savory
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsleychopped
- 2 ⅛ oz kashkaval or other yellow cheese (optional)grated
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 425°F (400°F fan) and brush a large baking tray with the 1 tbsp sunflower oil.
3 minStep 2: Mix the 5 ½ oz pork mince, 5 ½ oz beef mince, 1 small onion, 1 egg, ½ tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried savory, 1 tsp sweet paprika, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper and 2 tbsp fresh parsley with your hands for 2 minutes, until sticky. Wash your hands and the bowl's surroundings after handling raw mince.
3 minStep 3: Spread the mince in an even 5 mm layer over the 8 slices of white bread, right to the edges, and lay the slices on the tray.
4 minStep 4: Bake for 12–14 minutes, until the meat is browned with no pink left and the bread is crisp underneath. Check the thickest one with a thermometer: the mince should reach 160°F.
14 minStep 5: If using the 2 ⅛ oz kashkaval or other yellow cheese, scatter it over for the last 3 minutes, until melted and bubbling. Serve hot.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 22 g
- Carbs
- 32 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does princesi take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of small onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of egg?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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