Luchnik (Banitsa with leaks and rice)
Print Recipe

Luchnik (Banitsa with leaks and rice)

Luchnik is a pastry made on the base of onion or leeks. There are many
different recipes for luchnik in the different regions of Bulgaria.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Bulgaria
Keyword: all-purpose flour, leeks, rice

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 4 cup flour
  • 4 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 tsp salt

For the filling

  • 6 leeks
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 bunch parsley
  • 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients for the dough, mix together and knead semi-soft dough. Set aside for a while.
  • Chop the leeks finely and stew them in some water for 5 minutes.
  • Fry the rice and the stewed leeks in the oil.
  • Pour in 1 cup of water and simmer until the rice swells up. If necessary, add more water.
  • Take the rice off the stove and add the parsley and thyme.
  • Divide the dough in 5 balls. Roll out each ball to a sheet with the size of the tray.
  • Oil the tray and put in the bottom sheet. Sprinkle it with hot oil.
  • Layer all the sheets, adding filling in between. Do not place filling on top of the last sheet. Smear oil on the top sheet instead.
  • Pierce the sheets with a fork at 6 or 7 different places.
  • Bake at medium heat (340°F) for about 25 minutes or until light-brown.
  • When done, sprinkle with water and wrap in a towel so the crust turns soft.

Photo credit and inspiration: bulgarianspices.com