Vegetarian Benkovački Prisnac

Ingredients

In this vegetarian adaptation of Benkovački Prisnac, the traditional ingredients like eggs, cheese, and ham have been replaced with vegetarian alternatives. The filling now consists of cottage cheese, spinach, and aromatic herbs, providing a fresh and flavorful twist to the original recipe. We alse have the original recipe for Benkovački prisnac, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (60ml) cold water 1/4 cup (60ml) cold water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (500g) cottage cheese 2 cups (500g) cottage cheese
• 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, chopped 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh dill, chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh chives, chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh chives, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 11g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.9g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the cold water to the flour mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese, chopped spinach, parsley, dill, chives, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
5. 5.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a large circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
6. 6.
   Transfer the rolled-out dough to a greased baking dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and sides.
7. 7.
   Spread the cottage cheese and spinach filling evenly over the dough.
8. 8.
   Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, leaving the center exposed.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cottage cheese — Make sure to use well-drained cottage cheese to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
• Fresh spinach — Thoroughly wash and dry the spinach leaves before chopping them to remove any dirt or grit.
• Fresh herbs — Use fresh herbs for the best flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add grated vegetarian cheese to the filling mixture.
• Serve the Vegetarian Benkovački Prisnac warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of the filling according to your preference.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for a delicious next-day meal.
• Pair this dish with a fresh green salad to complete the meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Vegetarian Benkovački Prisnac as a main course for lunch or dinner. Cut it into slices and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an attractive presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can brush the crust with an egg wash before baking to give it a golden shine. Additionally, you can decorate the top with a lattice pattern using strips of dough.