Bulgarian lukanka platter with sirene and pickles (Lukanka)

1. Peel the casing off the lukanka – Bulgaria's flattened dried sausage – and use a sharp knife to cut it diagonally into very thin slices.

2. Cut the cheese (sirene) into large cubes or thick slices; if it's very salty, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes, then pat dry.

3. Cut the tomatoes into wedges and the pickled cucumbers lengthways into quarters; leave the hot peppers whole.

4. Fan the lukanka slices loosely across a large wooden board and pile the cheese next to them.

5. Surround with the tomatoes, pickles and peppers.

6. Add the sliced bread and serve at once – in Bulgaria it comes with cold ayran, or rakia at the next table.

Tip: Lukanka is Bulgaria's best-known dried sausage, made from pork and beef seasoned with cumin and pepper and cured in a pressed, flat shape. If you can't find it, use a good aged salami; you can replace the sirene with feta.