Recently, I have been making different kinds of fried breads from around the world. It is interesting how similar these are across continents. This recipe for ustipci (aka peksimeti) is from Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, there are similar fried breads from around the Balkan countries. They remind me of doughnuts, or rather doughnut holes, but they are less sweet as they don’t have any sugar. Also, the rising agent is the baking powder rather than yeast. Ustipci can be served with bread, jam or honey. We enjoyed them with fig jam to add sweetness. If you have any left, then I suggest re-heating them in the oven or air-fryer rather than the microwave.
Unfortunately, I did not get to try traditional ustipci during a short visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015. Hopefully I will get the chance in the future!
Ingredients
3 eggs
1 cup of plain yoghurt
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup water
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Soft cheese, jam or honey
Instructions
First, beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Then mix in the yoghurt, salt and water. In a smaller bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add to the batter a little at a time, stirring continuously. The batter should become thick.
Next heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Spoon heaping tablespoons of batter into the pan, ensuring to leave some space between them. Cook for a few minutes until the batter starts to bubble, then flip them over. Finally, cook on the other side for a couple more minutes. Then move them to a plate and repeat until the batter is gone.
Serve the ustipci warm with soft cheese, jam and/or honey.
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