Pig's Trotters and Ears Soup Pacha

Pig's trotters and ears are reconsidered presently - the big names in cooking started preparing them in tasteful dishes and they are not perceived as peasant's food anymore. But both of these parts of the pig were included many years ago in the cuisines of many countries. So today I present you one of Bulgarian well known dishes - Supa Pacha - a soup based entirely on trotters and ears. The high quantities of gelatin included in the trotters, which thickens the soup and the cartilage of the ears, which makes you feel a bit of crunch with every bite, are really a very good match. Pacha is a thick and gelatinous, nearly lip-sticking soup which: should be eaten hot; should be accompanied by some teaspoons of minced garlic soaked into vinegar; and sprinkled with hot peppers flakes, for sure.
There is also a cold version which is absolutely delicious.

Bulgarian Stuffed Peppers with Beans

This is one of the traditional, specific Bulgarian dishes, which are part of the Christmas eve dinner, but which are also a tasty vegetarian option for the winter months. The dish can be prepared with onion instead of leek, but it tastes much better with leek or with a leek-onion mixture. Chili paprika is optional, of course, for the people who do not like hot taste, a plain red pepper can be used. Sauerkraut juice gives additional specific taste to the stuffed peppers and if you have some chopped sauerkraut, you can put it on the bottom of the baking tin or you can wrap the peppers into sauerkraut leaves. 

Spicy Mango and Avocado Salad

I've had this recipe for a long time before I dared to try it, although I have such an exotic ingredient as a fish sauce in my fridge (well, it was unopened, but still, I had it). Mango is one of my favorite fruits and I adore avocado, but mixing them with the addition of mint and fish sauce sounded too much even for my you-never know-it might be tasty-attempts. 

Well, I must say. this is my favorite salad know. Its spicy taste is absolutely unexpected, surprising, a burst of tastes in a plate. 
Every single ingredient has its place in the recipe and the taste sends me far away to places with weird animals, palms and people I've never met before. Thank you, Food Opera.