Ciorba de Burta (Romanian Tripe Soup)
Of oriental origin, tripe soup is a favorite in Romanian cuisine. Not at all complicated to make, tripe soup has a delicious taste and its preparation is based on a...
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Central & Eastern European
Pampushky (Ukrainian Sweet Donuts)
Pampushky, or pampuhy, are known as a ritual dessert in Ukraine. Every important event and occasion is associated with these round yeast donuts, and every homemaker is supposed to make...
Syrnyk (Ukrainian Cheesecake)
Ukrainian cheesecake has little in common with American cheesecake, and here’s why: the former uses cottage cheese while the latter is made of cream cheese. While either version tastes fantastic...
Ukrainian Apple Cake (Yabluchnyk)
This cake, or rather a pie, is the dessert for those you love. It smells and tastes like home, as if your granny was making one and treating you to...
Trubochki (Ukrainian Wafer Rolls)
You will adore Ukrainian trubochky if you are already a fan of Ukrainian horishky. Both are divine pastries (albeit of distinctly different shapes and pastry) stuffed with a condensed-milk mixture...
Kiflyky Cookies (Crescent Cookies)
The historical origin of Ukrainian kiflyky is debatable. They first appeared in the 12th century. Some cite Turkey as their real homeland, hence the interesting cookie shape that reminds one...
Romanian Vegan Donuts
Who doesn’t love donuts? These little balls of sweet dough are a crowd pleaser for young and old alike. Plain or stuffed, they’re delicious either way. That’s why I one...
“Meat Grinder” Cookies
Their name might suggest otherwise, but these shortbread cookies are not stuffed with meat. The trick is that the dough is put through a meat grinder, which gives the pastries...
Piana Vyshnia Cake (Drunken Cherry Cake)
An absolute favorite of many, Piana Vyshnia is one of the most popular choices for a wedding or birthday cake. It is no wonder. This ‘drunken’ dessert is moist, tangy,...
Kutia
Kutia is the queen of the Christmas Eve table in Ukraine. The head of the household is always the first to taste kutia, once the whole family have said their...
Tsvikli (Beet-and-Horseradish Relish)
Ukrainians like beetroots in general and see them as the local superfood, hence the popularity of red borscht and beetroot salad as well as numerous modern beetroot smoothies and even...
Vinehret/ Ukrainian Vinaigrette
Ukrainian vinehret may be defined as a village salad – it is made almost exclusively of anything you grow in your garden. It is easy to make, affordable, and rich...
Banosh (Ground Corn Dish)
Banosh is the most delicious ground corn dish made with lots of thick sour cream and served with rich sheep cheese (bryndza), frangrant fried mushrooms, sautéed onions, and crunchy pork...
Monastyrska Izba (Monastic Hut Cake)
If you are a fan of cherries, you will go crazy about the traditional Ukrainian Monastic Hut cake. This shortbread triangular dessert indeed tastes just as fantastic as it looks....
Makivnyk (Poppyseed Roll)
Poppyseeds are a symbol of success in Ukrainian culture, which partly explains the love of this national cake. Usually an Easter and Christmas dessert, Ukrainian Makivnyk is also baked for no...
Deruny (Potato Pancakes)
Potato pancakes or deruny are one of the most beloved meat-free dishes in Ukraine. They have been popular throughout history and saved many lives during the Ukrainian Terror Famine in...
Nalysnyky (Sweet Ukrainian Crepes)
Sweet nalysnyky are arguably the most popular Ukrainian dessert, especially when filled with farmer’s cheese. Farmer’s cheese and sour cream is always a good idea, they say in Ukraine. You’ll...
Galaretka z Kurczaka (Polish Aspic)
Galaretka z Kurczaka is a savory jelly made from chicken broth that has been meticulously prepared with tender chunks of chicken, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of seasonings. The result...
Traditional Polish Doughnuts/Pączki
Pączki have a long tradition in Polish cuisine and are most often translated to English as doughnuts. These popular pastries are prepared with leavened dough that is deep-fried until golden...
Ukrainian Fish in Aspic
Fish aspic is one of those signature fish-based Eastern European dishes, especially in Ukraine where it often makes an appearance on the dinner table during special events and Christmas time....
Mushroom Vushka (Ukrainian Mushroom Dumplings)
These delicious vushka dumplings are savory little parcels full of tasty mushrooms. They’re the main ingredient in the traditional red borscht made in Ukraine and other neighboring countries around Christmas...
Makiełki (Polish Poppy Seed Noodles)
Makiełki is a sweet Polish Christmas noodle dish made with homemade pasta strips. Poppy seeds inevitably show up as a course on the Polish Christmas table in one way or...
Oplatki
Oplatki, Christmas wafers shared by family members during Christmas dinner in Poland, hold cultural significance in Poland and other Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus,...
Polish Herring in Sour Cream (Śledź w Śmietanie)
Herring is one of the most popular types of fish in Poland. It’s no surprise then to see herring featured on the Christmas Eve dinner table in Poland. This herring...