Prekmurska gibanica

Prekmurska gibanica is a baked dessert of alternating layers of cottage cheese, walnuts, poppy seeds and apples, made in Prekmurje in northeastern Slovenia. The word gibanica is also used for savoury layered cheese pies made elsewhere in the Balkans, so the name alone does not tell a guest that this version is sweet.

What it really is

Thin sheets of pastry are layered in a baking dish with a filling of cottage cheese, bound with egg and sour cream. Between the cheese layers come chopped walnuts, poppy seeds and sliced apple, so each cut piece shows several bands of colour and texture. The dish is baked until the top is golden and the filling has set, then cut into squares.

The pastry is made from flour, and the cheese is the main ingredient. The walnuts, poppy seeds and apple are what separate this dessert from a plain cheese pie.

How it's served

• Cut into squares or slices and served as a dessert.
• Eaten with a fork, since the soft layers do not hold together well in the hand.
• Served with its layers visible, so guests can see the walnut, poppy seed and apple bands before they order.

How to write it on the menu

• Name the main filling, cottage cheese, and say that the dish is baked.
• Flag wheat in the pastry, eggs, and milk from the cheese and sour cream.
• Flag walnuts as a tree nut, since they are a declarable allergen and sit between the layers.
• List the apple and poppy seeds, because guests often ask about fruit and seeds.
• Say whether it is served warm or at room temperature, and state the portion size.