Alright, so I got this thing for Albanian food lately. I’ve been itching to try it out, not just eat it, but actually make some myself. I figured, why not dive deep and see what this cuisine is all about?
First things first, I hit up the internet. I mean, where else do you start, right? I started with some general searches about Albanian food, just to get a feel for it. I found out that places like Valentine and Glai Baan are a big deal in the food scene, so that got me even more curious. Then I thought, maybe I can find some Albanian restaurants around me.
Finding a Place to Eat
I looked up “Albanian restaurants” and saw some spots in San Diego that popped up. I read some reviews, and it seemed like a good place to start my food adventure. People were talking about this one place being perfect for Sunday brunch, which sounded awesome.
I made a plan to visit downtown Phoenix. I heard it’s a cool area with a bunch of attractions like the Phoenix Art Museum. I figured I could make a day of it – check out some sights and then find a place to eat.
Making the Food Myself
But eating out wasn’t enough. I really wanted to try making some Albanian dishes myself. So, I searched for recipes online. I looked through a bunch of them, trying to find some that seemed doable for a beginner like me.
- Tavë Kosi: This one seemed popular – it’s like a baked lamb and rice dish with a yogurt sauce. Sounded interesting.
- Fërgesë: A mix of peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. Simple enough, I thought.
- Byrek: This is a flaky pastry filled with all sorts of things, like cheese, spinach, or meat. I knew this one might be tricky, but I was up for the challenge.
I wrote down the ingredients and went to the local market. I’m not gonna lie; I felt a bit lost trying to find some of the stuff. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right? I managed to find most of what I needed and headed home.
Cooking Time
I started with the Fërgesë because it seemed the easiest. Chopped up some peppers and tomatoes, mixed them with cheese, and baked it. It was pretty straightforward, and it turned out surprisingly good! I felt pretty proud of myself for a first try.
Next, I tackled the Tavë Kosi. This one was a bit more involved, with marinating the lamb and getting the rice just right. I followed the recipe as closely as I could, and after a few hours in the oven, it was ready. The smell was amazing, and it tasted even better. I was really getting into this Albanian cooking thing.
Finally, I tried the Byrek. Now, this was a whole other level. Making the pastry was tough. It took a few tries to get it thin enough without tearing. I filled it with a spinach and cheese mixture, which was the easy part. Baking it was another story – I had to make sure it was cooked through but not burnt. After a couple of attempts, I finally got it right. It was flaky, cheesy, and delicious.
The Verdict
This whole Albanian cuisine experiment was a blast. I learned a lot, not just about the food, but also about the culture and the effort that goes into making these dishes. It was fun to explore different flavors and step out of my comfort zone.
I’m definitely going to keep exploring Albanian food. There are so many other dishes I want to try, and I’m even thinking about visiting Albania someday to experience the real deal. This was a great start, and I can’t wait to see where this culinary journey takes me next.
