Make this delicious griz sa mlekom, a comforting Balkan childhood favorite naturally sweetened with banana instead of sugar. Ready in just 10 minutes, this creamy semolina breakfast is perfect for kids.
Recipe Summary
- ✅ Recipe Name: Griz sa mlekom (semolina with milk)
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🧑🧒🧒 Serves: 1 person
- 🍽️ Calories: 253 kcal per serving
- 🥣 Ingredients: semolina flour, milk, banana, chocolate (milk or dark)
- 👏 Why You'll Love It: Balkan favorite, kid-friendly, so delicious.
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Some of the simplest foods hold the strongest memories. For me, one of those dishes is griz sa mlekom, or semolina cooked in milk.
I grew up with this comforting meal in Serbia. It was something our moms and grandmothers made often. Warm, creamy, and lightly sweet. Sometimes topped with chocolate, sometimes cinnamon, sometimes enjoyed just as it was.
This dish is loved across the Balkans, including Bosnia, Croatia, and many other countries. It was simple food, but it always felt special.
Now, years later, I find myself making the same dish for my own kids. Even though they were born in the United States, I love bringing pieces of my childhood into their lives through food. And the best part is that they absolutely love it! Yay!
If you enjoy Balkan flavors, I encourage you to try my Serbian Gibanica or my Sour Cherry Cake.
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My Healthier Twist
Traditionally, griz sa mlekom is made with semolina flour, milk, and sugar. I made a small adjustment by using mashed banana instead of sugar. It adds natural sweetness and a bit of extra nutrition.
If you grew up with this dish and still prefer it with sugar, go for it. The traditional version is made with a little sugar, and you can easily add it instead of banana.
I simply chose to skip the white sugar and use mashed banana for a naturally sweetened version for my kids. In the end, it is completely your choice, and both versions are comforting and delicious.
Why you'll love this recipe
⏱️ Quick and easy: This delicious meal comes together in about 5 to 10 minutes and requires just one saucepan, which means minimal cleanup. Great for breakfast, snack, or light dessert.
🥣 Perfect for Balkan food lovers: A nostalgic childhood favorite enjoyed across the Balkans.
🍴 Easy to customize: I recommend using banana instead of sugar for natural sweetness. If you grew up enjoying it with sugar, feel free to add some to taste. Top with chocolate, or keep it simple with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Nutrition per serving
- Protein: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
Griz sa Mlekom Ingredients
- Milk, for a creamy and comforting base
- Semolina flour, to create a smooth and thick texture
- Ripe banana, mashed, for natural sweetness
- Dark or milk chocolate, for topping and extra flavor
- Optional Toppings: cinnamon, for a warm and cozy touch; cocoa powder, for a richer chocolate flavor; fresh fruit, for added nutrients.
How to Make Griz sa Mlekom
Step 1: Start with one cup of milk, but reserve a small amount in a separate bowl.
Step 2: Add the semolina flour to the reserved milk and mix well to avoid lumps.
Step 3: Pour the remaining milk into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Once the milk is warm, slowly add the semolina and milk mixture, and mashed banana.
Step 4: Cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy. Remove from heat.
Step 5: Pour into a bowl, add chocolate on top, and serve warm.
Nena's Pro tip
The Secret to Perfect Taste
For the smoothest, lump free texture, don't skip mixing the semolina with a small amount of cold milk first, then add it to the warm milk while stirring. This simple step makes your griz sa mlekom perfectly creamy every time.
Griz sa Mlekom FAQs
Semolina is a coarse flour made from durum wheat. It is commonly used in many traditional dishes across Europe and the Mediterranean, including pasta, desserts, and porridges like griz sa mlekom.
Yes, you can make it ahead of time, but it is best enjoyed warm and fresh. If it thickens as it cools, simply add a splash of milk and gently reheat while stirring until creamy again.
Looking for other Balkan recipes like this? Try these:
⭐ If you try Griz sa Mlekom, I would love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. You can also tag me on social media if you make this recipe.Find me on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok.
📖 Recipe
Griz sa mlekom (semolina with milk)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoon semolina flour or 3 tablespoons
- ½ banana mashed
- 1 teaspoon dark chocolate or milk chocolate for topping
Instructions
- Start with one cup of milk, but reserve a small amount in a separate bowl. Add the semolina flour to the reserved milk and mix well to avoid lumps.
- Pour the remaining milk into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Once the milk is warm, slowly add the semolina and milk mixture, and mashed banana.
- Cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy. Remove from heat.
- Pour into a bowl, add chocolate on top, and serve warm.
Notes
- This recipe is naturally flexible, so you can adjust sweetness and toppings based on your preference or what you grew up with.
- If you prefer the traditional version, feel free to use a little sugar instead of banana.
- For extra creaminess, stir continuously while cooking to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth texture.
- Best enjoyed warm, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge and gently reheated with a splash of milk.
- This dish is great for both kids and adults, making it a simple family friendly breakfast or snack.
Dr. Nena Stefanovic says
So delicious! Brings me back to my childhood.