Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Dinner With Tito

Josip Broz Tito was the president of SFRJ from 1943-1980. The guerrilla leader of the Yugoslavian partisan units during the Second World War was a communist with style, a gentleman. During his presidency, he traveled all over the world. While he traveled he never ate the food that his host would prepare. Instead, he would bring his personal chef, a chemist (to test the food for poison) and would bring the ingredients form Yugoslavia. Some time ago, Tito's cookbook written by Anja Drulović was published and it included authentic recipes from those journeys, as well as from official visits from the foreign diplomats and people from jet set. Meals include dinners with: John F. Kennedy, Fidel Kastro, Queen of England, Saddam Hussein, Elizabeth Tailor... and many more. Sofia Loren even cooked for him on his yacht.

Left: with Sofia Loren, who cooked for him on his yacht; right: with John F. Kennedy

Left: with Winston Churchill; right: with Fidel Castro

Left: with Saddam Husein; right: with Queen of England

Among recipes of the famous chefs of that time, cookbook gives and a few of Tito's personal recipes. Based on the meals, I'd say he was a foodie with an exquisite taste.

With wife Jovanka, having shashlik.

Choosing a recipe to share with you was a very difficult choice. I wanted to make something unusual and yet simple. Sorry, but this dinner will not have a dessert as Tito wasn't very fond of them.

The Recipes

Tito and Josip Visarjonovich Stalin knew each other even before the Second World War. It is said that Stalin drunk Tito so much with vodka and wine that Tito got sick.

Russian Style Chicken

2 chickens (800 - 1000 g)
a branch of rosemary
5 Tbsp of Courvoisier cognac

Cut chicken into 2 equal pieces over the longer side. Remove the bones. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cognac on the insides and add rosemary. Place the meat between two wooden boards and press with something heavy. Leave like that for 2-3 hours in a cold place. Grill. Serve warm with marinated mushrooms.

Tito became close to Josephine Baker while she was assisting the French Resistance. Later, she visited him and his wife on Brionian Islands.

Štrukli (Shtrukli)

Mix 400 g sifted flour with one small egg. Add a little salt, oil, butter and warm water. Knead the dough that doesn't stick to the working surface. Spread some oil over it and let rest for 30 minutes. Flatten very thin. Sprinkle 200 g melted butter over, and evenly arrange 1 kg cottage cheese mixed with 2 eggs and salt. Roll, and cut into 6 cm wide pieces. cut using a plate. Cook in 3 l boiling salted water. Arrange cooked shtrukle into casserole pan and pour 150 ml heavy cream over. Bake about 20 minutes.

I will be giving away one copy of Tito's cookbook (in English, or Serbian). Send me your mails to palachinkablog [at] gmail [dot] com with your name and Tito's cookbook as a subject by November 1st and then I'll draw a random winner. Good luck!

Edit: The winner of the cookbook is Marta Bigus.

Thank you FoodBuzz!