Kiseljačke Pogače with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (125g) whole wheat flour 1 cup (125g) whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) warm water 1 cup (240ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (150g) crumbled feta cheese 1 cup (150g) crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, chopped 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 1g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Meanwhile, in a skillet, sauté the chopped spinach until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
8. 8.
   Flatten each dough ball into a circle and place a spoonful of the spinach mixture in the center. Top it with a mixture of feta and mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle with parsley and dill.
9. 9.
   Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching them together to seal.
10. 10.
    Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and let them rise for an additional 15 minutes.
11. 11.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pogače are golden brown.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Feta cheese — If you prefer a milder flavor, you can substitute feta cheese with ricotta or cottage cheese.
• Whole wheat flour — Whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor and extra fiber to the dough. If you don't have whole wheat flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead.
• Spinach — Make sure to thoroughly wash the spinach leaves before chopping them. You can also use frozen spinach, just make sure to thaw and drain it well before sautéing.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to the filling mixture.
• If you prefer a crispier crust, brush the pogače with beaten egg before baking.
• These pogače can be frozen after baking. Just reheat them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
• Experiment with different herbs and cheeses to create your own unique filling combinations.
• Serve the pogače warm with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side for an extra creamy touch.

Serving advice

Serve the Kiseljačke Pogače warm as an appetizer or as a side dish to a main course. They are perfect for dipping into soups or enjoying on their own.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Kiseljačke Pogače on a platter, garnished with fresh parsley or dill sprigs. The golden-brown crust and the oozing cheese filling will make them visually appealing.