Today, we have the pleasure of introducing Vedran, a passionate food blogger, and recipe creator behind the beloved blog Začinjeno s ljubavlju (Seasoned with Love). With a background in Electrical Engineering and a keen eye for food photography, Vedran has been sharing with readers his traditional Croatian recipes since 2015, inspired by family heritage and a deep love for gastronomy. His culinary journey began when his wife encouraged him to share the dishes he was constantly cooking and photographing. What started as a personal project soon grew into a rich collection of recipes celebrating Croatia’s diverse regional flavors. Read more bout Vedran's story and how he combines tradition with creativity in his kitchen. Source: Vedran Bošković/ Seasoned with Love
Hello Vedran! Could you introduce yourself to the readers of the OLS platform, and share how your passion for food blogging began?
Dear readers of the OLS platform, I am a food blogger, recipe creator, chef, Master of Electrical Engineering, food photographer and a big lover of everything related to gastronomy. I started my food blog “Začinjeno s ljubavlju” in 2015 as my wife persuaded me as I was constantly cooking and taking photos of food, I have prepared, so…
What inspired you to focus on Croatian cuisine and food culture in your blog?
I fell in love with cooking through preparing traditional Croatian dishes, especially those prepared by my grandmother and my mother. And since our cuisine is a bit neglected today, I gave myself the “task” to revive some of those old recipes and put them on my blog. I can tell you that these recipes are the most read one on the blog.
Can you describe the moment or experience that made you realize you wanted to share your culinary journey with others?
Well, I never actually thought that my blog would be read, but I started it to write down recipes that I tried and liked so that I could prepare them again someday. Everything later came somehow by itself.
What are your top three favorite Croatian dishes, and what makes them special to you?
Huh, this is a really hard one, but let's try it this way: stuffed peppers - a dish that strongly ties me to childhood and cooking with my grandmother. Štrukli - a dish that I can always eat and it's so modest and prepared with just a few basic ingredients and thirdly I would choose fried squid - absolute comfort food!
For first-time visitors to Croatia, what local dishes would you recommend they absolutely try?
Of course, it depends on which region they are traveling to, but if it's Slavonia and Baranja, then definitely kulen, čobanac, carp on a fork (“Šaran na rašljama”), goulash... If it's Zagreb, then the already mentioned štrukli, then dumplings, kajzeršmarn and of course Zagreb steak. When going to the coastline it will bring a large offer of fresh fish and seafood, so I would definitely recommend the grilled octopus under the bell, for meat lovers I would recommend the lamb, which is just perfect! All regions have very good vegetarian dishes, and the offer of vegan cuisine is getting better and better.
Are there any underrated Croatian recipes or ingredients that you think deserve more recognition?
A lot of traditional recipes do not have their place in restaurant offers, which in my opinion is a big mistake and missed opportunity. I believe that tourists are the ones who are looking for exactly that, local and traditional! You can see a bit of a trend of introducing those old recipes to the menus, but it is still not enough. A few examples: rudarska greblica, vrbovačka pera...
Could you share a particularly unforgettable meal or food experience you've had in Croatia? Recently, I was at the Korak restaurant in Plešivica and was absolutely delighted with both the location and the food! The restaurant has a Michelin star, but the food and atmosphere there is worth every cent.
How do you bring your personal touch or creativity to traditional Croatian recipes? I would say that it is best seen through my style of photography and not really through the recipe itself, because I want to present it in its original form.
What are your go-to restaurants or eateries in your hometown, and why do they stand out? I am from east part of Croatia, from the Požega area, I will recommend the restaurants Zlatni lug and the restaurant Stari fenjeri. Both restaurants offer traditional food and have a very good price-quality ratio.
Do you know of any lesser-known culinary spots in your area or Croatia that visitors shouldn't miss?
On the slopes of Papuk, just near the city of Kutjevo, the restaurant Vinkomir opened, which brought something new to my area and I would recommend it to everyone who is going to the Golden Valley (“Zlatna dolina”).
Where do you go to discover new inspiration for your cooking or blogging?
Today, the Internet is a huge source of information, so it's easiest to look up there for inspiration, but I also like to watch various culinary shows, flip through cookbooks, and research on social networks. Of course, in a conversation with someone I can get an idea or suggestion for a dish that will then end up on the blog.
Which European destinations inspire you the most when it comes to food, and why?
Everything inspires me! I love exploring new flavors and new dishes and new destinations. I could single out Italy and Turkey as perhaps the most gastronomically interesting countries for me personally.
What are some European dishes or cuisines that have left a lasting impression on you?
I'm not sure what to answer here! I would even go so far as to say that there is no dish that has left such a lasting impression on me that it is not a traditional Croatian dish.
How do you think Croatian cuisine holds up when compared to other cuisines across Europe?
We have great food, regional diversity and what is even more important, we have top-notch ingredients for preparing all these dishes. The combination of these three things places us at the very top of not only European but also world cuisine. The other thing is that we don't know how to make most of it!
Are there any food-related destinations in Europe that you dream of visiting?
I am currently very keen to go to the north of Europe and explore their gastronomic scene a bit more. Denmark is my absolute favorite!
In what ways do you think Croatian food represents the country’s cultural and historical identity?
Considering the before mentioned rich historical heritage and the influence that other countries have left on Croatia, as well as the great regional differences within the country itself, I would say that food is the best representative of all of that and I have no complaints about that! Traditional recipes have always been very important to us, and we are always proud of them.
Do you find that speaking other languages has enriched your ability to explore and understand international food traditions?
That is not at all questionable. Knowing a foreign language opens many doors (not just restaurant ones) and when you show that you know at least a few words in the language of the country you find yourself in, the hosts immediately accept you even more warmly. In Croatia, just learn to say “živjeli” and everyone immediately adores you! How do you think language and storytelling play a role in preserving and sharing Croatian culinary heritage? Mothers and grandmothers had a great influence and their passing down of recipes from generation to generation, sometimes it was written down and often it was just passed down by words. I'm sure that without this verbal tradition we wouldn't have even 50% of the recipes we have today.
Apart from food blogging, what other hobbies or interests are you passionate about?
Photography in general (not just food), traveling (more often within Croatia than outside), walking with our dog and sports in general!
Are there any cooking techniques or food traditions you’d like to master in the future?
I would like to progress in every segment of culinary art, but I am sure that I will pay a little more attention to pastry making to build on my existing knowledge in that segment.
Is there a dish or destination that’s been on your food or travel bucket list for a long time?
Copenhagen soon and then sometime in the future Japan as an ultimate wish!
If you could create a menu combining dishes from Croatia, what would it include?
Cold appetizer: homemade bread with cured meats and cheeses
Warm appetizer: risotto with Kvarner shrimp and asparagus
Main course: tuna pasticada with pumpkin gnocchi Dessert: štrukle “na slatko” with cheese, fruit and salted caramel
Imagine hosting a dinner party with guests from history or the present. Who would you invite and what would you serve?
I would have an open table for everyone who wants to come! If I really must choose a few people, it would be Nikola Tesla and Dražen Petrović! As for the menu, I would adapt it to them or serve something like the one from the previous question!
Thank you for taking the time to read about Vedran's story.! We’d love to hear your thoughts or anything you'd like to share—please feel free to leave a comment below.
Hello Vedran! Could you introduce yourself to the readers of the OLS platform, and share how your passion for food blogging began?
Dear readers of the OLS platform, I am a food blogger, recipe creator, chef, Master of Electrical Engineering, food photographer and a big lover of everything related to gastronomy. I started my food blog “Začinjeno s ljubavlju” in 2015 as my wife persuaded me as I was constantly cooking and taking photos of food, I have prepared, so…
What inspired you to focus on Croatian cuisine and food culture in your blog?
I fell in love with cooking through preparing traditional Croatian dishes, especially those prepared by my grandmother and my mother. And since our cuisine is a bit neglected today, I gave myself the “task” to revive some of those old recipes and put them on my blog. I can tell you that these recipes are the most read one on the blog.
Can you describe the moment or experience that made you realize you wanted to share your culinary journey with others?
Well, I never actually thought that my blog would be read, but I started it to write down recipes that I tried and liked so that I could prepare them again someday. Everything later came somehow by itself.
What are your top three favorite Croatian dishes, and what makes them special to you?
Huh, this is a really hard one, but let's try it this way: stuffed peppers - a dish that strongly ties me to childhood and cooking with my grandmother. Štrukli - a dish that I can always eat and it's so modest and prepared with just a few basic ingredients and thirdly I would choose fried squid - absolute comfort food!
For first-time visitors to Croatia, what local dishes would you recommend they absolutely try?
Of course, it depends on which region they are traveling to, but if it's Slavonia and Baranja, then definitely kulen, čobanac, carp on a fork (“Šaran na rašljama”), goulash... If it's Zagreb, then the already mentioned štrukli, then dumplings, kajzeršmarn and of course Zagreb steak. When going to the coastline it will bring a large offer of fresh fish and seafood, so I would definitely recommend the grilled octopus under the bell, for meat lovers I would recommend the lamb, which is just perfect! All regions have very good vegetarian dishes, and the offer of vegan cuisine is getting better and better.
Are there any underrated Croatian recipes or ingredients that you think deserve more recognition?
A lot of traditional recipes do not have their place in restaurant offers, which in my opinion is a big mistake and missed opportunity. I believe that tourists are the ones who are looking for exactly that, local and traditional! You can see a bit of a trend of introducing those old recipes to the menus, but it is still not enough. A few examples: rudarska greblica, vrbovačka pera...
Could you share a particularly unforgettable meal or food experience you've had in Croatia? Recently, I was at the Korak restaurant in Plešivica and was absolutely delighted with both the location and the food! The restaurant has a Michelin star, but the food and atmosphere there is worth every cent.
How do you bring your personal touch or creativity to traditional Croatian recipes? I would say that it is best seen through my style of photography and not really through the recipe itself, because I want to present it in its original form.
What are your go-to restaurants or eateries in your hometown, and why do they stand out? I am from east part of Croatia, from the Požega area, I will recommend the restaurants Zlatni lug and the restaurant Stari fenjeri. Both restaurants offer traditional food and have a very good price-quality ratio.
Do you know of any lesser-known culinary spots in your area or Croatia that visitors shouldn't miss?
On the slopes of Papuk, just near the city of Kutjevo, the restaurant Vinkomir opened, which brought something new to my area and I would recommend it to everyone who is going to the Golden Valley (“Zlatna dolina”).
Where do you go to discover new inspiration for your cooking or blogging?
Today, the Internet is a huge source of information, so it's easiest to look up there for inspiration, but I also like to watch various culinary shows, flip through cookbooks, and research on social networks. Of course, in a conversation with someone I can get an idea or suggestion for a dish that will then end up on the blog.
Which European destinations inspire you the most when it comes to food, and why?
Everything inspires me! I love exploring new flavors and new dishes and new destinations. I could single out Italy and Turkey as perhaps the most gastronomically interesting countries for me personally.
What are some European dishes or cuisines that have left a lasting impression on you?
I'm not sure what to answer here! I would even go so far as to say that there is no dish that has left such a lasting impression on me that it is not a traditional Croatian dish.
How do you think Croatian cuisine holds up when compared to other cuisines across Europe?
We have great food, regional diversity and what is even more important, we have top-notch ingredients for preparing all these dishes. The combination of these three things places us at the very top of not only European but also world cuisine. The other thing is that we don't know how to make most of it!
Are there any food-related destinations in Europe that you dream of visiting?
I am currently very keen to go to the north of Europe and explore their gastronomic scene a bit more. Denmark is my absolute favorite!
In what ways do you think Croatian food represents the country’s cultural and historical identity?
Considering the before mentioned rich historical heritage and the influence that other countries have left on Croatia, as well as the great regional differences within the country itself, I would say that food is the best representative of all of that and I have no complaints about that! Traditional recipes have always been very important to us, and we are always proud of them.
Do you find that speaking other languages has enriched your ability to explore and understand international food traditions?
That is not at all questionable. Knowing a foreign language opens many doors (not just restaurant ones) and when you show that you know at least a few words in the language of the country you find yourself in, the hosts immediately accept you even more warmly. In Croatia, just learn to say “živjeli” and everyone immediately adores you! How do you think language and storytelling play a role in preserving and sharing Croatian culinary heritage? Mothers and grandmothers had a great influence and their passing down of recipes from generation to generation, sometimes it was written down and often it was just passed down by words. I'm sure that without this verbal tradition we wouldn't have even 50% of the recipes we have today.
Apart from food blogging, what other hobbies or interests are you passionate about?
Photography in general (not just food), traveling (more often within Croatia than outside), walking with our dog and sports in general!
Are there any cooking techniques or food traditions you’d like to master in the future?
I would like to progress in every segment of culinary art, but I am sure that I will pay a little more attention to pastry making to build on my existing knowledge in that segment.
Is there a dish or destination that’s been on your food or travel bucket list for a long time?
Copenhagen soon and then sometime in the future Japan as an ultimate wish!
If you could create a menu combining dishes from Croatia, what would it include?
Cold appetizer: homemade bread with cured meats and cheeses
Warm appetizer: risotto with Kvarner shrimp and asparagus
Main course: tuna pasticada with pumpkin gnocchi Dessert: štrukle “na slatko” with cheese, fruit and salted caramel
Imagine hosting a dinner party with guests from history or the present. Who would you invite and what would you serve?
I would have an open table for everyone who wants to come! If I really must choose a few people, it would be Nikola Tesla and Dražen Petrović! As for the menu, I would adapt it to them or serve something like the one from the previous question!
Thank you for taking the time to read about Vedran's story.! We’d love to hear your thoughts or anything you'd like to share—please feel free to leave a comment below.