Grah (Bosnian Bean Stew)

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried beans
• 4 cups water
• 1 medium onion
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 cup smoked beef (cubed)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vegeta (Bosnian all-purpose seasoning)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp paprika

Soak the beans overnight to reduce the cooking time, rinse, and place in large cooking pot with water until boiling. If you didn't soak the beans, place them in a cooking pot, add water, and let them boil for several minutes. 

Once the beans have come to a boil, finely chop the onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Add these to the beans, and reduce the temperature to medium. Cover the pot slightly and allow the stew to cook for about an hour. Add water every few minutes to ensure that the water level is kept constant.

After an hour, add all the spices and cubed meat to the beans. Cook for another hour. You will know that the grah is finished cooking once the beans are soft and creamy. 

Next, add the tomato paste and allow this to incorporate into the stew.

To make the roux, mince garlic cloves and add them to a small oiled frying pan. Cook the garlic until fragrant. At this stage, it is very easy to burn the garlic so make sure to keep an eye on it and stir constantly. Add the flour and begin mixing until all the crumbs disappear. Finally, add the paprika and mix well. Add the roux to the stew, and allow to cook for an additional 5 minutes. 

Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• Dough
• 1/4 oz package yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup scalded milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
• Filling
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup raisins, walnuts, or pecans, optional
• Glaze
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside.

In a large bowl mix the milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg. Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add the yeast mixture. Mix in remaining flour until the dough is easy to handle. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Place the dough in a well-greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until it has doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll out on a floured surface into a 15 by 9-inch rectangle. Spread butter all over the dough. Mix the sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the buttered dough. Also, sprinkle with walnuts, pecans, or raisins if desired. Beginning at the 15-inch side, roll up the dough and pinch the edge together to seal. Cut the dough into 12 to 15 slices.

Coat the bottom of the baking pan with butter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let them rise until the dough has doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned.

Meanwhile, mix the butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Spread over the slightly cooled rolls.

Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

     These chocolate chip cookie bars are so rich and gooey. The browned butter gives them an extra unexpected flavor, and the chocolate chips melt in your mouth. I highly recommend this recipe if you want to try a new spin on chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp corn starch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 7 oz chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add the butter to a small saucepan and melt over medium heat. Whisk the butter continuously until it starts to develop a nutty smell and turn light brown. Remove from heat immediately and set aside to cool. Make sure not to burn the butter.

Beat the butter and sugars together until well combined. Add in the egg and vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, corn starch, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture until well combined. The dough may become a little difficult to mix with with a mixer, and I recommend using your hands to lightly knead it at this stage. Finally, incorporate the chocolate chips.

Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper, and press the dough into the pan. 

Bake for 15 minutes for gooey bars. Bake a few minutes longer for firmer bars.

Allow to cool for about 30 minutes before cutting.