Meshana skara, also known as mะตัะฐะฝะฐ ัะบะฐัะฐ or mixed grill, is a traditional Bulgarian dish that showcases an array of sizzling grilled meats. It features everything from succulent pork chops and flavorful meatballs to juicy sausages, savory kebabs, and more.
Artfully arranged on a rustic wooden platter, this feast is crowned with a vibrant garnish of fresh vegetables and luscious roasted peppers. It’s an enticing dish that generations of Bulgarians have been drawn to its hearty goodness.
Ready to introduce your kitchen to this Bulgarian culinary tradition? I’ve got an easy-to-follow guide to help you recreate this delicious meshana skara recipe right at home. Let’s jump right in!
Why Meshana Skara is a Must-Try?
Meshana skara, commonly referred to as “mixed grill,” is a must-try for anyone eager to explore Bulgaria’s culinary richness. This dish showcases the nationโs culinary traditions and exceptional flavors. Hereโs why itโs worth a try:
Which Tools Are Required for Meshana Skara?
Here’s a list of the necessary items to make this delicious dish:
Whatโs in the Ingredients List for Meshana Skara?
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to prepare this Bulgarian mixed grill:
What Are the Directions for Making Meshana Skara?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing meshana skara, the quintessential Bulgarian mixed grill:
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Pork Chops: Depending on your preference, you can marinate your pork chops in advance for added flavor. If you love the pure, natural taste of pork, just grilling them and sprinkling them with a little salt does the trick.
Sausages: Make delicate cuts along the sausages to prevent them from bursting while grilling. This also helps in cooking them thoroughly.
Skewers: Dice your selected meat and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Make sure they’re about the same size for even cooking. Thread the pieces onto your skewers, alternating meat with veggies like peppers and onions for color and taste variation.
Step 2: Grill The Meat and Vegetables
Preheat your grill (grill pan, electric grill, or barbecue) to medium-high heat. Make sure your grates are clean before placing your meat and vegetables.
Pork Chops: Grill each side for approximately 4-5 minutes for a medium-rare finish. Adjust cooking time according to your preferred level of doneness.
Sausages: Place sausages on the grill, occasionally turning, until they have a nice browned color and are cooked through.
Skewers: Grill your skewers, rotating them periodically until the meat is done and the vegetables are tender.
Grill the leftover onions and peppers. They’ll serve as an excellent garnish for your mixed grill.
Note
Don’t forget to season your pork chops and skewers while grilling. The sausages won’t need any additional salt, as they’re usually pre-seasoned.
Step 3: Rest and Serve Your Mixed Grill
Once your meat is grilled to your satisfaction, let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and enhance the flavors.
Serve your mixed grill on a wooden board or platter, arranging your pork chops, sausages, skewers, and roasted veggies together. Garnish with fresh veggies like lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and serve with your favorite sauces or condiments.
Finally, enjoy your homemade mixed grill. Its variety of flavors from the different meats and grilled vegetables are sure to impress!
How to Perfect Your Bulgarian Mixed Grill?
Here are 5 key tips to ensure your meshana skara is delicious and authentic:
What Goes Well with Meshana Skara?
Below are some suggestions to enhance your meshana skara experience:
How to Store Bulgarian Mixed Grills Properly?
First, ensure that your meats have entirely cooled down. It’s essential to avoid leaving them at room temperature for more than two hours for safety purposes.
Once your grilled meats have cooled, they can be placed in airtight containers or resealable zip-top bags. If you intend to eat the leftovers in the next few days, simply place them in the refrigerator. The chilled environment will safely preserve your meats for up to 3-4 days.
For more extended storage, freezing is your best bet. Transfer the cooled meats to freezer-safe bags or containers, making sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing. Properly stored, your Bulgarian mixed grill can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
When it’s time to reheat, if the meats were refrigerated, warm them up in a preheated oven at a low temperature, around 275ยฐF, until heated through. If the meats were frozen, they should first be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before following the same reheating process.
FAQs
Ready to Get Grilling? It’s Meshana Skara Time!
Meshana skara is a wonderful taste of Bulgarian cuisine that brings together diverse flavors and textures. I hope you’ll enjoy making this tasty dish and have a great time savoring it with your loved ones!
If you enjoyed this recipe or have any questions or tips of your own, I’d love to hear from you. So please feel free to leave a comment below. Don’t forget to hit the like button and share it with your friends and family. Let’s spread the love for Bulgarian cuisine far and wide!
Meshana Skara Recipe (Bulgarian Mixed Grill)
Equipment
- Grill pan
- Tongs
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Wooden Skewers
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops
- 4 pork sausages
- 1.1 pounds pork For 4 skewers, cut into equal pieces
- 1 green peppers
- 1 heads of brown onion
Instructions
- Depending on your preference, you can marinate your pork chops in advance for added flavor.Otherwise, just grilling them and sprinkling them with a little salt does the trick.
- Make delicate cuts along the sausages to prevent them from bursting while grilling. This also helps in cooking them thoroughly.
- Dice your selected meat and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Thread the pieces onto your skewers, alternating meat with veggies like peppers and onions for color and taste variation.
- Preheat your grill (grill pan, electric grill, or barbecue) to medium-high heat. Grill each side for approximately 4-5 minutes for a medium-rare finish. Adjust cooking time according to your preferred level of doneness.
- Place sausages on the grill, turning occasionally, until they have a nice browned color and are cooked through.
- Grill your skewers, rotating them periodically until the meat is done and the vegetables are tender. Grill the leftover onions and peppers. They'll serve as an excellent garnish for your mixed grill.
- Once your meat is grilled to your satisfaction, let it rest for a few minutes.
- Serve your mixed grill on a wooden board or platter, arranging your pork chops, sausages, skewers, and roasted veggies together.
- Garnish with fresh veggies like lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and serve with your favorite sauces or condiments. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- The total time is based on about 8 servings.
- The taste of your mixed grill depends significantly on the quality of your meats. Choose fresh, high-quality cuts for the best flavor.
- Marinating your meats, especially pork chops, can significantly enhance the taste.
- Too hot, and your meat might burn on the outside while remaining raw inside. Too cool, and your meat might dry out before getting those beautiful grill marks. Medium-high heat is typically ideal.
- After grilling, let your meat rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the cut, making it juicier and more flavorful.
- Serving the dish on a wooden board adds a rustic touch. Garnishing with fresh veggies not only makes the platter look more appealing but also adds a fresh, crunchy contrast to the hearty grilled meats.
Nutrition
Mia Dimitrova
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Food Styling, Food Photography, Culinary Storytelling, Cooking-video Maker, European Food Content Creator, Bulgarian Food Evaluation Expert
Education
Sofia University โSt. Kliment Ohridskiโ
Completed a thesis titled โBulgaria on a Plate: A Photographic Journey through our Gastronomic Legacy.โ
European Culinary Arts Academy
Maria Dimitrova, or Mia, is a Contributing Writer from Sofia, Bulgaria. Her work beautifully intertwines the rich flavors of Bulgarian and European dishes with their visual storytelling, capturing the soul of each cuisine. Through engaging content and stunning photography, Maria explores the intricate relationship between food’s aesthetic appeal and cultural history.
Specializing in home cooking, food styling, and photography, she brings European culinary traditions to life, offering a unique glimpse into Bulgaria’s gastronomic heritage. Maria’s expertise highlights her deep appreciation for culinary art and invites her audience to embark on a flavorful journey through Europe’s diverse food landscape.