Popara
A hearty and comforting Montenegrin dish made from stale bread soaked in milk or water, often enriched with cheese and butter.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyEasy
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Stale bread(cubed or torn into pieces)
- 750 ml Milk
- 150 g Cheese(e.g., Njeguški sir, or a firm white cheese, crumbled)
- 50 g Butter
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the stale bread cubes in a large pot or deep skillet.
- 2
Pour the milk over the bread, ensuring it is mostly submerged. Add salt.
- 3
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the bread has softened and absorbed most of the milk, about 10-12 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the crumbled cheese and butter. Continue to cook, stirring, until the cheese has melted and the mixture is creamy and well combined, about 3-5 minutes.
- 5
Serve hot, optionally with an extra dollop of butter or a sprinkle of cheese on top.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use day-old or slightly stale bread for the best texture.
- ✓Adjust the amount of milk based on how creamy you prefer your Popara.
- ✓Njeguški sir is traditional, but any firm, salty white cheese will work.
🔄 Variations
- Add a fried egg on top for a more substantial meal.
- Some variations include a spoonful of sour cream or kajmak for added richness.
- For a sweeter version, use water instead of milk and add a bit of sugar and honey.