FIVE DELICIOUS APPETIZERS THAT WILL IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS THIS SLAVA SEASON

The Slava season — a time of family gatherings, tradition, and celebration — has arrived. Tables are filled with homemade dishes, laughter, and warmth as hosts welcome friends and family. No matter if you are the host carefully planning every detail or a guest eager to enjoy the flavors of tradition, one thing is certain: every great Slava begins with an unforgettable appetizer.

Here are five tried-and-true appetizers that are easy to prepare, full of flavor, and sure to impress your guests.

1. AJVAR ROL

Ingredients:

5 egg yolks, 5 tbsp flour, 1 baking powder, a pinch of salt, 1 sour cream, 4 tbsp ajvar, 5 egg whites (beaten stiff)

For the filling:

1 sour cream, 400 g feta cheese, 3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)

Preparation:

Whisk together yolks, flour, baking powder, salt, sour cream, and ajvar. Gently fold in the beaten egg whites. Pour the mixture into a greased baking pan and bake at 180°C for 20 minutes.

When baked, roll the warm crust in a clean kitchen towel. Once cooled, unroll it, spread the filling evenly, and roll it up again. Slice and serve — a perfect blend of creamy and tangy flavors that everyone will love.

2. SAVORY LAYERED CAKE

Ingredients:

100 g margarine, 100 g flour, 500 ml milk, 6 eggs, 1 tsp salt, 300 g cooked ham, 300 g cheese, 200 ml sour cream, 200 g mayonnaise, chopped pickles, parsley for garnish

Preparation:

Melt margarine and stir in flour. Gradually add milk while stirring constantly until thickened. Once cooled, add yolks one by one, then gently fold in beaten egg whites.

Pour into a large, paper-lined baking tray and bake for 30 minutes at 200°C.

For the filling, mix finely chopped ham, pickles, grated cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise.

Cut the cooled crust in half, spread the filling over one layer, and cover with the other. Top with cream cheese or sour cream, sprinkle grated cheese, and decorate with parsley. Chill before serving — a beautiful, festive centerpiece on your Slava table.

3. MINI TARTLETS (EDIBLE CUPS)

Ingredients (for 60–70 tartlets):

250 g flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 egg, 120 g butter, ½ tsp salt, a pinch of pepper, ½ tsp paprika, milk as needed, grated cheese for decoration

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients to form a smooth dough, adding milk if necessary. Let rest in the fridge for one hour. Shape small balls and press them into tartlet molds.

Bake for 15 minutes at 180°C. Once cooled, fill them with your choice of spreads — Russian salad, spicy cheese, or “urnebes” salad — and decorate with grated cheese and parsley.

Perfect bite-sized treats that look as good as they taste!

4. STUFFED EGGS

Ingredients:

4 eggs, 100 g ham, 2–3 pickles, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tbsp mustard, salt, pepper

Preparation:

Boil the eggs, cool, peel, and cut in half. Remove yolks and mash them with chopped ham, pickles, mayonnaise, and mustard. Season to taste, then fill the egg whites with the mixture.

Garnish with herbs or a sprinkle of paprika — simple, classic, and always a hit at any celebration.

5. MUSHROOM SALAD

Ingredients:

500 g mushrooms, a bit of oil, 250 g sour cream, 100 g mayonnaise, salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Clean and slice the mushrooms, then sauté them in a little oil for about 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Mix with sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.

Serve in a deep bowl and decorate as desired. Chill before serving — a creamy, flavorful salad that pairs beautifully with any main dish.

Whether you’re hosting a big family Slava or a small gathering with friends, these appetizers bring a mix of tradition, simplicity, and irresistible taste to your table.

From creamy rolls and savory cakes to bite-sized tartlets, stuffed eggs, and mushroom salads — these dishes are proof that a festive meal begins with love and flavor.