Supa Kosi (Albanian Yogurt Soup)

Supa kosi is a comforting Albanian soup of chicken broth thickened with egg and yogurt, brightened with fresh herbs. It shows the deep imprint of Ottoman and Balkan yogurt traditions on Albanian home cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 cups (480g) plain full-fat yogurt
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint or dill
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Make a roux
   Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat and whisk in the flour, cooking 1-2 minutes until golden.
2. Add the stock
   Gradually whisk in the stock, stirring until smooth. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Temper the yogurt
   In a bowl, whisk the yogurt and egg yolk together with a ladleful of the hot broth to temper it.
4. Combine
   Slowly stir the tempered yogurt mixture back into the pot, stirring constantly to prevent curdling. Simmer gently 5 minutes without boiling.
5. Season and finish
   Season with salt and pepper, and stir in fresh mint or dill.
6. Serve
   Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

Supa kosi reflects the deep imprint of Ottoman and Balkan yogurt traditions on Albanian home cooking.