Dalmatian Recipe

Komiža is a harbour town situated on the remote Dalmation island called Vis. Vis has a colourful history and a strong maritime tradition and we thought for this month’s newsletter we would highlight its local dish “Komiška pogaca”. The island and Komiža in particular have a proud fishing heritage. The recipe includes sardines, which were once an important economic staple of the island. We hope you enjoy making & eating this speciality!
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Komiža Savoury Bread

Ingredients (Serves 10)

1kg flour
40g easy blend yeast
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp olive oil
10 salty sardine fillets
1tbsp sugar
200g onion
4-5 fresh ripe tomatoes
Bay leaf & rosemary sprig
Fresh parsley
1 tbsp capers
Salt, pepper & lukewarm water as required

Preparation:

Sift the flour and add to it the easy blend yeast /fresh yeast dissolved in lukewarm water and a small teaspoon of sugar and a tablespoon of liquid flour. Leave this in a warm place to rise. Add the olive oil to the flour and yeast and knead the dough with the help of lukewarm water, as with pizza dough. Once the dough is even and smooth, cover it with a cloth so it can relax and rise. While this is happening, prepare the filling. Fry the finely chopped onion in olive oil and when it softens, add the skinned and chopped tomatoes, bay leaf, rosemary sprig, only lightly salt since the salty sardines have yet to be added, then add pepper and cook until the tomatoes become soft and it develops into a thick sauce. Take the dough and divide it into two. With a rolling pin, roll each part into the size of the baking dish. Oil the baking dish and put the first layer of dough in it. Put the filling on top of the dough, after having removed the bay leaf and rosemary sprig, then put the sardines on top of the filling and sprinkle with capers, and then finally put the other part of the dough on top of the filling to make a lid. Prick the dough a little with a fork and brush with oil. Bake in the oven at 200° C for about half an hour.

Mladen has started conducting Croatian cuisine classes in Croatia as part of the Croatian Language School’s immersion courses.
Please see here for more details.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

May’s CIL Newsletter

TOP