Cicvara
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The Tale of Cicvara
Story updated
Cicvara, a creamy cornmeal porridge enriched with cheese and butter, is a rustic mountain dish from Montenegro's pastoral highlands, reflecting the region's reliance on dairy from sheep and cattle grazed in its rugged terrain, similar to polenta-cheese dishes found elsewhere in the Balkans.
Ingredients
Scale:· 4 servings
- 1.5 cups cornmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 150g young soft cheese, crumbled
- 100g sour cream or kajmak
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- 1Bring the water and salt to a boil in a heavy-bottomed pot.
- 2Whisk in the cornmeal gradually, followed by the flour, stirring to prevent lumps.
- 3Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 20-25 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- 4Stir in the crumbled cheese and continue stirring until it melts and fully incorporates into the porridge, becoming stretchy.
- 5Melt the butter separately and stir most of it into the mixture, reserving a little for topping.
- 6Beat vigorously for a final minute or two until glossy and elastic.
- 7Serve hot in bowls, topped with the reserved butter and a spoonful of sour cream or kajmak.
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