The comfort food trend and the secret behind the iconic štrukli we keep coming back to in Zagreb

Authentic comfort food truly took hold of us after the pandemic, experts note, when we began turning toward the familiar, the comforting, and the authentic: dishes from childhood, local recipes, and cuisines with a story and a sense of identity. Over the past three years, the trend of traditional dishes has increasingly evolved into Tradition 2.0, with old recipes prepared more precisely, more lightly, and more sustainably. They are here to remind us of our grandmother and her valuable legacy, but this time grandma is cooking in a more modern and fresher way.

Comfort food 2.0

The reinterpretation of traditional recipes is appearing on our plates more and more often. Whether we are cooking at home or choosing a dish in a restaurant, we look for flavors that awaken nostalgia while simultaneously offering a contemporary sense of quality and care. Comfort food is becoming more refined, more expressive, and of higher quality. Now is the right moment to rethink the classics, and when someone mentions that word, I immediately think of štrukli. Everyone in Zagreb knows that you go to Hotel Esplanade for štrukli, and until February 8 hurry up so you can make it more than once, Le Bistro is hosting the Days of Esplanade Štrukli, a beloved winter gastro tradition. “In the charming atmosphere of Le Bistro, where Parisian chic meets understated elegance, štrukli become more than a dish. They are a small ritual of pleasure shared with loved ones, accompanied by the aromas of home cooking and the recognizable Esplanade service infused with charm and positive energy,” they tell us, and we agree with every word.

Photo: Lili Bašić

Why do Zagorje štrukli have cult status?

“Esplanade štrukli are handmade from carefully selected fresh ingredients according to a recipe that has been nurtured in the Esplanade kitchen for more than half a century. The dough is kneaded and stretched until it becomes almost translucent, filled with fresh cheese, shaped with special care, steamed, and then baked in fine cream until a perfect golden color is achieved. The result is an irresistible texture: soft, creamy, lightly crisp on top, and a full, well rounded flavor that guests return to again and again.” This traditional Zagorje specialty has been part of Esplanade’s offering since 1951, when it was first served as an authentic representative of regional cuisine at gala celebrations and important events. “From then until today, štrukli have remained an indispensable classic, a symbol of dedication to quality, handmade craftsmanship, and respect for local tradition.”

We are not quite sure how we managed it, but below you will find the recipe for Esplanade Gourmet Štrukli. You are welcome.

Recipe for Esplanade Gourmet Štrukli

Ingredients

Dough

• 500 g flour
• 50 ml oil
• a pinch of salt
• a little lukewarm water
• 1 egg

Filling

• 1000 g fresh cheese
• a pinch of salt
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons flour

Topping

• 80 g butter
• 60 g breadcrumbs

Preparation

• Sift the flour. Prepare some lukewarm water. Make a small well in the center of the sifted flour and add the salt, oil, and one egg. Mix everything slowly while adding the lukewarm water. Knead the dough until it becomes completely smooth. Divide the dough into three equal parts, brush them with oil, cover with a warmed bowl, and let rest for about half an hour.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling:

• Mix the fresh cheese, beaten eggs, and salt until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the flour and mix well.
• Dust a tablecloth generously with flour. Roll out one piece of dough with a rolling pin, then continue stretching it with floured hands toward the edges of the table until it becomes thin.
• Cut off all thick edges. Leave the stretched dough to dry slightly.
  Spread one third of the prepared filling over one half of the dough and roll it into a strudel.
• Press the strudel every 5 cm with the handle of a large wooden spoon, then cut the štrukli using the rim of a plate. The edges of the dough should be lightly sealed.
• Cook the štrukli in salted boiling water for about 15 minutes, but do not cook large quantities at the same time.
• Remove the štrukli from the water with a slotted spoon and arrange them on a plate.

Serving:

** Briefly sauté the breadcrumbs in oil and sprinkle them over the štrukli. Štrukli prepared in this way can be served as a standalone dish.

** You can serve boiled štrukli with breadcrumbs as a dessert, but in that case add less salt to the filling and sprinkle the štrukli with sugar.

**Another way to finish štrukli is to arrange the cooked pieces in a deep serving dish, pour over cooking cream, and bake in the oven at 200 C for about 45 minutes until a golden brown crust forms.

Photo: Lili Bašić

If you decide to save time and surrender to hedonism by catching the Days of Esplanade Štrukli, we should note that one portion includes two pieces of baked štrukli, which you can enjoy as an appetizer, a main course, or a dessert, with a little salt or with added sugar, according to your own taste. A glass of excellent wine or sparkling wine at Le Bistro will round out the experience, leaving you to enjoy a truly fantastic comfort food flavor.