Chomlek / Local Bansko cuisine

The cuisine of Bansko is unique for the borders of the town. The answer to that is in the development of Bansko as a town of merchants in the 18th century. While traveling to Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy and Germany with their caravan, the tradesman of Bansko were bringing back influences and inspiration.
Thanks to the ladies of the town, who had to run the household throughout the year, specific dishes were prepared in Bansko and nowhere else. Nowadays those recipes are part of the traditional Bulgarian cuisine.

We would like to share with you the recipes of our Bansko grannies. We present you “Chomlek”

Ingredients for a portion for six: …… it’s just that the portions in Bansko can’t be small

1 kg of Beef . If possible with the bone

2 kg Potatoes

2 – 3 Onions, 3 – 4 Garlic cloves

3 glasses of red wine

Salt, black pepper and bay leaf

Preparation and cooking:

Most important for “Chomlek” is to get yourself a clay pot… well a regular one will do the job.
Roughly chop the potatoes, followed by the onions and garlic. There is no need to soften them as all will get into the oven for several hours.

Get a pan and add a sip of olive oil. Place the potatoes with the chopped onions and garlic. On top, put the beef cut. Be careful with sipping the wine. Make a small hole through the layer of potatoes. Pour in so that the wine goes to the bottom. Put the lid on top.

Once you are ready with the preparation, put the pot in cold oven and turn it 200 degrees celsius. After 30 minutes of cooking, lower the temperature to 180 C and let simmer for 4 hours.
This is a holiday or Christmas dish in Bansko, but could be found during the whole year in the traditional Mehana Restaurants in the Old Town. The Unique Bansko mehanas are run by local families and are serving the recipes of their grannies…. so don’t wonder where to go.
Enjoy “Chomlek” with a glass of Bulgarian wine.

Tsvetan Bizev
BFT Founder / Bansko's recipes hunter

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