I Made (North Macedonia) Makedonija's National Dish | Tavče Gravče

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: sunflower oil

Avocado oil provides healthy fats while sunflower oil is more budget-friendly.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

vinegar

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: apple cider vinegar

Lemon juice adds brightness and is often more accessible.

bell pepper

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: cabbage

Zucchini can be a lower-calorie substitute, while cabbage is often cheaper.

Soak small white beans overnight in hot water.

Chop onions and garlic; set aside.

Chop sujuk sausage into pieces.

Add soaked beans and enough water to cover them into a pot and bring to a boil.

Add chicken bouillon powder, 1/3 of the chopped onions, and a bit of paprika to the boiling beans.

In a medium hot pan, add olive oil and the rest of the onions; sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.

Add garlic, sausage, and remaining spices to the pan; sauté together.

Add flour to the pan and mix until the raw flour smell dissipates, about 2 minutes.

Incorporate the sautéed mixture into the boiling bean mixture; mix well and simmer until beans are fully cooked, 20 to 40 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and bake at a high temperature until the top is browned, about 10 to 20 minutes.

Garnish with fresh green onion and chopped bell pepper before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens