This is a collection of wartime recipes from my friend Sandra Cosic. As you read through them, you will notice the simplicity of both the ingredients and cooking process – but they are called everything from cheese to cakes and croquettes. It is a well-known psychological “trick”, if you will…people felt better if they called their dishes various names, even though they were all basically the same.
Sandra got married in the midst of the siege. The Bread Cake was featured on her wedding day menu. So was one egg – a special wedding gift from a friend who had “connections”.
- 4 Tsp of flour
- 1 Tsp of milk powder
- 1/2 liter of water
- 2 dcl of oil
Cook flour and milk powder in water like pudding. When cold, add oil while mixing. Add spices: salt, pepper, mustard, vinegar…
- 1 cup of corn meal
- 1 1/2 cup of flour
- Baking powder
- 2 Tsp of vinegar
- Salt
Mix everything with water to desired consistency. Roll out, cut and fry.
Cook rice well (overcook). When cold, add sugar, coconut, breadcrumbs, cocoa powder and rum. Mix well and decorate with cream.
- 4 Tsp of soy flour
- 4 Tsp of oil
Cook until golden. Add 1/2 liter of hot water. Bring to boil and add seasoning, salt, pepper, parsley, paprika…When cold, mix with canned pate.
- 1 cup of rice
- 4 Tsp of milk powder
- 2 Tsp of vinegar
Cook rice well (overcook). Add milk and vinegar. Leave overnight and use as pie (“pita”) filling.
- 8 small cups of oil
- 1 small cup of vinegar
- 1 tsp of baking soda
- 500 grams of flour
Mix the dough. Roll out to about 2 cm thickness, cut crosswise, bake and roll in sugar.
Bread Cake:
- 1 loaf of bread
- 1 l of milk
- 2 Tsp of cocoa powder, a little bit of rum
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 small cups of oil
Cook everything. Add any of the following: raisins, orange rind, cinnamon, clove. Mix 4 Tsp of milk powder with 1/2 juice box (from the aid package) and a bit of water. Spread over cake.
Bean Cake:
Cook 1 kg of large beans and grind through meat grinder. Add 300g of sugar, 300g of walnuts and rum. Shape as desired.
- 2.5 dcl of water + 2 tsp of salt – bring to boil
- 2.5 dcl of water and 4 Tsp of flour – cook like pudding
When cold, add 3 small cups of oil, 4 Tsp of milk powder and 1 Tsp “limuntos” (pickling agent).
- 4 small cups of milk powder
- 1 small cup of warm water
- 1 small cup of oil
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1 Tsp of vinegar
Mix everything except oil. While mixing, slowly add oil. Close tightly and let rest in the warm place for half and hour. Uncover for two hours.