It's hard to tear off your own day from a day in Dubrovnik, Croatia – walk on medieval walls, drink beer in sidewalk cafes, and admire the hilly town with marble inside. Fortunately, on our phone call in Dubrovnik on part of Windstar “Locals” seasonal itineraryWe spent a day and a half here, which gave us time to explore further away, cooking and cooking local food (and in our case, also addicted to handmade grains and wines) opened up a place of soul regardless of Is it a demonstration, a work conference or a occlusion sampling, or all three. When it comes to “cooking lunch in a family home with locals in Miloslavić”, the sum of its parts is much more than that.
This makes me one of the most special cooking tours I have ever taken, which is related to learning how to cook authentic Croatian Peka (meat and potatoes) in a pot with bell cover as well as vegetable risotto and apple striatum. It's also about spending time with Pero and Marija Miloslavić, whose families have lived in the area for more than 500 years. Here they raise four daughters, their home adjacent to a rather newly built Taverna and comes with a demonstration kitchen. In addition to hosting Windstar guests, they run a small restaurant (reservation only) and even Croatians who want to enjoy traditional PEKA without having to make it themselves. (It may take several hours to prepare.)
If the PEKA of Miloslavićs is enough to satisfy the locals, I know we will love it too.
However, it was not only traditional dishes, they were made from ingredients from ourselves and nearby farms, but were with me for a long time after we returned to Star Legend. It was the warmth and warm hospitality of this family, and once the little balao lifted the eight of us evacuated from Windstar, we started to experience it. A bar cart awaits us in the entrance, filled with Grappa, a brandy with a variety of flavors, all made from hemp from her garden ingredients.
Marija poured everyone's taste into a shooting glass and said, “After that, let yourself be at home”, so we did it. Hot singles for walnut, blood orange, cherry and apricot, but some of us have come up with the idea of trying all kinds of flavors. It's something powerful, and the bar cart also has water and juice.
“We were inspired by our passion for tradition and the places we live in,” Marija told me. “When you visit Dubrovnik, in order to really experience it, you need to explore the countryside, meet the locals and try local cuisine. Fruits and vegetables grow in our gardens and the food is homemade. This is The best experience. We want to invite everyone who is looking for a unique place like visiting a family.
“Our location is always back here.”
Indeed, the experience is thrilling with a golden glow that feels so welcome and so comfortable in the home.
What to expect
Including our 30-minute drive, “Lunch with locals at the Miloslavić Family House”, lasting about six hours. The drive itself, most of which are on winding, mountainous and sea roads, reminds me of the scenic forest Ridge route of the French Riviera.
Once you arrive at the village of Mlini you will meet the resident horses and admire them – even in winter, when we visit the year-round trip, Marija's gorgeous herbs and vegetable gardens, small vineyards, olive trees, olive trees and pine trees, Branches that sing when blowing. She grew up most of the things she prepared.
Inside, Maria and Perot set up workstations and we both wore aprons. We grind and chopped, ipped grappa, stir and peel. We all have room to contribute and there is no pressure. Some of us worked harder than others, laughing.
The main activity is preparing PEKA, which is usually served when family celebration time. In our case, it was an easy preparation of potatoes and huge veal and lamb, purchased from a farm on the road. What's striking is how it cooks, like I've never seen it in Pero, America, building a small wood fire on a metal cooking table outside a tavern. The fire heated the surface and he moved the wood to another part of the island, placed a large amount of meat barbecue with potatoes, and then covered the pot with bell-shaped cast iron lid. The lid was too heavy, and he put it on the pan with a metal hook and removed it. Then he wrapped the lid with hot ash and ash from the fire, which were sealed in the taste.
Then we cook it. This took about two hours or so, and during this time Marija and Pero planned enough activities to capture us. We made the above vegetables risotto and Apple Strudel. Every now and then, on this lovely winter Mediterranean day, I will wander outside and enjoy the views of the farm, surrounded by lush green hills and mountains dotted with Croatia’s famous golden limestone.
Sitting in Peka and the rest of our food was the absolute highlight of the day. This is in line with the tradition of Croatia, and we learned honesty from Croatia blog:
“Keep it as a feast and an important ceremony. Think of Mary's assumptions, baptism or confirmation, wedding. Whenever you eat PEKArespect ingredients to the greatest extent.
“after all, PEKA Never alone. Use the PEKA ritual to celebrate and thank life. Most importantly, get together with your loved ones and enjoy a feast. ”
If all of us – the style guests of the Miloslavic family, originally gathered as strangers, we left as friends. This is the tradition of PEKA.
Internal skills
- Don't eat a lot of breakfast, as even if you won't be delivered for hours after you arrive, there are cute Croatian pastries and other snacks. And don't plan on having a special dinner on board that night. Lunch is so huge that you may not feel hungry.
- Comfortable clothes: loose, relaxing clothes and simple shoes. You will stand up a lot.
- Asked a lot of questions about everything from food to family; Miloslavićs' four daughters also live in the farmhouse (who have been supporting cooking and cleaning all day long) like to answer them (Marija is more fluent in English than Pero and Pero, Pero is Chef).
- We serve both PEKA, barbecue and potato dishes, as well as vegan risotto. If you have special dietary requirements, please remind your coast tour team in advance.
About your visit to Dubrovnik
Many cruised for a day and a half on the Windstar cruise in Dubrovnik, which means there is plenty of time to experience differently. During my locals’ season in January, coastal excursions include outdoor-facing (walls, exploring medieval cities) and indoor interiors (wine tasting and our cooking classes). Another tour on our visit was called “Traditional Dubrovnik”. The dining companion that night definitely praised that peer, especially enjoying insights into traditional Croatian silk making methods.
In spring, summer and autumn, find more options for nature-oriented outings.
We docked in Gruze, the main port of the cruise ship. In addition to our coastal excursions, there is also a shuttle between the port and the downtown Old Town. It's about 10 minutes' drive (long walk, so unless you have a lot of time, it's better to ride). Dubrovnik has a lot of taxis (about 15 euros) and there is also Uber.
Speaking of the euro, Croatia passed the currency in 2023, replacing its own Kuna.
