Bećar paprikaš: slow-cooked peppers

“Bećar is the word for bachelor in northern Serbia, and there are many tales as to how this dish got its name: it was something a single man could make easily after a night out; or perhaps it was a typical dinner of the men who used to tend fields of summer produce. However it came about, if you ever look at a recipe and dismiss it based on the simplicity of the ingredient list, then this is one of the best examples I can think of to show you how much can be achieved with careful cooking. These slow-cooked peppers are so intensely sweet, I guarantee they’ll stop you in your tracks. You’ll often find different proteins cooked amongst the peppers – pork being a popular choice, chicken and eggs, too – but during times of fasting they are cooked straight up. And to be honest, you don’t miss the meat at all. This is one of the most versatile dishes to have a stash of in your fridge while fasting. ”