Trahana with yogurt — traditional Albanian soup with butter and fried cheese

Trahana is one of the most beloved traditional Albanian dishes — a dry pasta made with flour and yogurt, kept through the winter and cooked as a warming soup with butter. This recipe brings the classic version with yogurt and fried cheese.

Ingredients

• 250 g trahana (traditional dry pasta)
• 1 liter water or meat broth
• 500 ml natural yogurt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 100 g white cheese (for frying)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried mint (optional)
• olive oil for serving

Preparation steps

1. In a pot, bring the water or meat broth to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add the trahana and stir constantly so it doesn’t stick; boil for 10–12 minutes until it thickens.
3. In a bowl, whisk the yogurt with a little warm water until it becomes a smooth cream; pour it slowly into the pot, stirring constantly (low heat so the yogurt doesn’t curdle).
4. Add the butter, salt, pepper and mint; let it boil for another 3–4 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a pan with a little oil, fry the cheese pieces until golden and crispy.
6. Serve the soup hot in bowls, with the fried cheese on top and a drizzle of olive oil.

Prep time: 10 minutes; cook time: 20 minutes; total: 30 minutes. Servings: 4.