Bosanski Lonac, Bosnia's National Dish

Bosnian Pot or Bosanski Lonac is an authentic Bosnian speciality, appreciated for its rich taste and flexibility. It is impossible to define the recipe for Bosanski lonac, as there are many variations, but the main ingredients are mostly the same: meat and various vegetables.

Typical ingredients are: beef, lamb, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots,parsley, garlic, peppercorns. Many different vegetables or meats may be used. The Bosanski lonac is prepared by layering meat and vegetables into a deep pot, then adding 1 - 2 dl water. The ingredients should be cut into large pieces rather than finely chopped or minced.

Originally, Bosanski lonac was made in ceramic pots, that were then put in the fireplace or pit in the ground. That would be perfect, but today, not everyone has a fireplace available for cooking, so cooks may use a regular pot and their kitchen stove. Since the pieces of meat and vegetables are rather large, it takes about 4 hours till the meal is cooked.