Bukë, Kripë e Zemër – “bread, salt, and heart”
— Albanian saying about all one really needs in life.

Bordering Greece, and touching both the Adriatic and Mediterranean, Albania shares in the many rich, ancient and healthy culinary traditions of the region. Greek, Turkish and Balkan influences meet Italian and Russian dishes in a delicious cuisine rarely seen Toronto. Join Mirela Vangjeli for a taste of authentic Albanian home cooking that you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Byrek me Presh (Leek Pie)
Byrek is an Albanian staple of savory pies, where the delicate phyllo dough is made from scratch. This recipe sees it layered and stuffed with cooked leeks, feta, onions and eggs, brushed with olive oil and butter to give it a delicious crispy finish.

Fasule (White Bean Soup)
A traditional Albanian dish of fresh white beans simmered with tomato, spices, and potatoes for over 3 hours until meltingly soft and tender. Garnished with a splash of olive oil and served with homemade bread to soak up the flavours.

Majonez (Olivier Salad)
Majonez (Albanian for mayonnaise) is the regional take on a popular dish known as Olivier or Russian salad. A chilled side dish made with a colourful variety of diced vegetables, sausage, pickles, and potatoes mixed with mayonnaise and garnished with parsley.

Pulë Napeolon (Baked Chicken)
This chicken is slowly baked in a traditional Albanian pan called a “tavë” over the course of a few hours. Tender chicken breast is prepared with mushrooms, flour, tomatoes, oregano, parsley and other spices, and — the distinctive ingredient in this dish — a generous amount of red wine that creates an amazing aroma.

This dish will be served with Albanian-style roasted potatoes and a fresh Mediterranean salad on the side.

Kadaif (Sweet Phyllo Nest)
Kadaif is finely-shredded phyllo dough. Melted butter is poured onto the dough and topped with chopped walnuts and pecans. After it’s baked to a golden brown in the oven, a sugar syrup made is infused with cinnamon and other flavours and poured over the top to finish this rich, sweet and crispy dessert.
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$50

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Mirela Vangjeli is an Albanian mother that loves cooking homemade meals. You can find her sharing her amazing cooking with the world on Instagram @homemademami

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Every weekend The Depanneur invites an amateur or professional guest chef to host a fun, informal dinner party.

Learn more about the Supper Clubs at The Depanneur