Are you ready for the potato pancakes and omelets I advertised last week? Ha, sorry, I lied and betrayed all the faithful readers! Instead, the betrayed shall discover another outstanding sirene recipe, along with one for applesauce.

Spaghetti with spinach and sirene is a fantastic dish and is great for a large gatherings. If you live alone, use half the ingredients for this recipe. Last year, I made the mistake of making enough of this recipe to feed every stray dog in Balchik. And still had enough to eat spaghetti every evening for a week.

Lucky people may have fresh spinach available in their towns, however, I have found that frozen spinach works better for this recipe. When using frozen spinach, make sure the spinach is thawed and drained of water before adding it to the spaghetti.

Do not let your Bulgarian friends betray you by using the dreaded ketchup and mayo with this dish. It is perfectly normal to threaten insolent guests. Tell such guests that they will have to run naked in the streets singing "The Little Rabbit" in Bulgarian for ketchup or mayo usage.

Homemade applesauce is another wonderful treat that has many uses. You see, applesauce can be a breakfast food, a healthy replacement for oil in dessert recipes, and an excellent dessert by itself.

Applesauce has many different consistencies, and this depends on your preference. There is chunky, smooth, cinnamon, cinnamon and nutmeg, and chocolate applesauce.

Enjoy these great recipes, and save a little spaghetti for the stray dogs. Stray dogs love spaghetti with spinach and sirene.

Spaghetti with Spinach and Sirene
(courtesy of Peace Corps Cookbook)

500g spaghetti
500g spinach
1 large spoonful olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 large spoonful flour
250ml milk
1 small spoonful salt
1 small spoonful pepper
1 small spoonful nutmeg
1/2 bunch fresh dill (kopur), finely chopped
200g sirene, crumbled
Grated parmesan (optional)

Directions: Cook spaghetti. Stir in spinach during last two minutes of cooking. Drain, and then put spaghetti and spinach in a large bowl.

For the sauce, heat the olive oil and add onion and garlic in a saucepan. Cook at medium-high heat for about three minutes, or until soft. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about two minutes. Remove from heat and add milk. Return to heat and cook for five to six minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to boil. Remove from heat and stir in spices. Add sauce, crumbled sirene, and dill to spaghetti.

Applesauce

5-6 large apples
60ml water
1-2 large spoonfuls sugar
1 small spoonful cinnamon

Directions: Peel and core apples. Put apples and water in a kettle. Cook on medium heat until apples are soft enough to mash with a fork. Remove apples from the pan, add sugar and cinnamon, and look below for the different variations. When finished, store applesauce in a cold place, either in the fridge or on the balcony.

Chunky applesauce: Mash apples with a fork until smooth, but leave some chunks.
Smooth applesauce: Puree apples with handheld mixer until smooth.
Chocolate applesauce: Add two large spoonfuls of Nutella to the apples, then puree with handheld mixer.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg applesauce: Add one very small spoonful of nutmeg, then mash apples to desired consistency.

Joseph Herr is a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer currently working in Balchik. His column appears weekly and he can be contacted at jdherr75@sabreshockey.com.