On a visit to Mirodinka's with a pot roast and starch

I invite you to visit the beautiful village of Garlyano.

Come to Garlyano – a charming Kyustendil village, located very close to the border with North Macedonia and only 14 kilometers from the city. I will welcome you in my old farmhouse, which over the years I have transformed into a cozy ethnic corner, ideal for guests. Everywhere you will see flowers, herbs and fruits – a home that breathes with the rhythm of nature.

We will sit together for a traditional chatty sit-down – a time for sharing, laughter and stories, such as can only be found in the countryside. You will pick your own vegetables from my garden to fully immerse yourself in life here. Then we will roll up our sleeves and prepare two traditional dishes for this region – poparnik and skrob.

Poparnik

This dish is the heart of my table because it combines the comfort of home and the richness of simple but real products. It is prepared from corn flour, milk, eggs, yeast, butter and a little sugar. And when autumn knocks on the door, we add boiled pumpkin to make the cake even juicier and more aromatic.

After baking, the poparnik is broken into large pieces with your hands and spread out in a large baking dish. We pour it generously with fried butter and oil until the aroma fills the room and transports you to another time. We sprinkle generously with cheese and crispy crackers on top - each bite brings a different delight.

In winter, poparnik warms the soul when eaten with cabbage soup, and in summer it is a refreshing pleasure with yogurt or buttermilk. Its taste is like a little culinary mystery – every bite is different, every morsel tells a new story. It's hard to get enough of it until you've tried every possible combination!

Starch

The starch we will prepare is simple but impressive – a creamy dish with an inimitable taste. It is made from cornmeal, fresh milk, water, salt and sugar, and when the mixture thickens, it is served with a rich layer of fried butter, sugar and cheese.

The combination of the softness of the cream and the intense flavor of the butter and cheese creates an experience you will never forget. Starch is proof that Bulgarian cuisine can be both simple and extremely rich – every spoonful tells a story you will want to hear again.

Are you ready for this experience?

Garlyano is not just a village, but a place where time seems to have stood still so that the taste of old Bulgarian recipes can remain alive. Come to feel its magic and take with you memories that will warm you long after.