Banitsa Recipe

Banitsa is a Bulgarian dish that many are not aware of, yet Banitsa is one of the tastiest dishes you could ever taste and is easy to make too!

Today I will tell you how you can make this great Banitsa dish for yourself!

Ingredients needed:

200 grams of Filo pastry
150 grams of Sirene cheese (Feta can be used instead)
Olive oil
50 ml sparking water
3 eggs

Cooking instructions:

1)    Take out a deep tray and rub oil on the bottom and sides.

2)    Place a sheet of filo on the bottom

3)    Crumble sirene over the sheet of filo

4)    Place another sheet of filo over the crumbled sirene

5)    Drizzle a small amount of oil over the filo sheet

6)    Repeat steps 2 to five until all sheets and sirene is used

7)    Whisk eggs and sparking water together

8)    Cut your banitsa into size of pieces you want

9)    Pour egg mix over the top of banitsa and move the tray around to allow the mix to seep into where you have just made the cuts for your slices

10)    Place in pre-heated over at 200 c for 40 to 45 minutes (or until golden brown on top)

Now you will have a wonderful dish to enjoy.

Bulgarian Population Decline

Bulgaria has seen its population decline heavily since the fall of communism in 1989. This change in population is not due to the fall of communism of course, but more in line with the integration of the country into Europe and the freedom for the people to move elsewhere.

In 1989 the reported population was just over 9 million, by 2001 however the population had dropped to around 8.4 million. In the 2011 census, the figure shows another significant drop to around 7.3 million.

The change in population causing it decline is the movement of younger people looking to find their fortunes and a different way of life overseas. At first Italy and Germany were the places to travel too, but now younger Bulgarians have found their home across Europe and also in America.

The Bulgarian economy and low salary when compared to other nations in Europe means the lure of higher wages that allow for a brighter future has seen movement happen. Bulgarians are very proud of their country and their culture, however many have become settled in their new countries of residence and therefore decided to stay in the new host nations.

Did you know that the population of Bulgaria today is actually lower than the reported population in 1950? This is true and Bulgaria is the only country in the world where the population is lower now than it was back then!

Bulgaria Average Living Cost

Many thinking of moving to Bulgaria, or just with a general interest in the country, will wonder what the average living cost on a monthly basis may be.

Whilst we have looked and have a general understanding on the living cost, this detail was take in November 2014 so inflation and time does need to be taken into account if your looking at these Bulgarian average living costs in the future.

We have not included rent or mortgage amounts in the following and it also doesn't include running a vehicle either.

With this in mind, lets look at the overall Bulgarian average living costs by month:

Electricity - 120 leva (takes into account seasonal usage in Winter for heating)
Water - 40 leva
TV - 12.49 leva (Premium package from Blizoo)
Mobile phone - 20 leva
Apartment block (service charge cleaning) - 10 leva
Food - 250 leva

TOTAL - 452.49 levs

This equates to £185.09 / $294.51 / €235.13

Adding the rent/mortgage to this will have a major impact, but if your looking to move to Bulgaria and have enough to do so without the need of rent or mortgage then the above shows how it can be a low cost living!