This autumn, the season of wild mushrooms was high in Ukraine. White mushrooms or porcini were especially abundant. They are so deliciously fragrant that you can use them as a condiment! I have a few bags in the freezer, so it’s time to make my favourite potato porcini dumplings. These dumplings are traditional Ukrainian varenyky….
Ukrainian
Warm vegan potato salad (Slavic style)
I know there are a million potato salad recipes out there. I want to share with you my favourite: vegan potato salad, Slavic style. It is low in fat, so feel free to double your portion. There’s absolutely no oil, cashews or mayo. Pure potato power. There are 1001 ways to cook potatoes in Ukraine….
Kutya (Ukrainian Christmas cereal dish)
Today, Ukraine celebrates Christmas. And our main Christmas dish is Kutya. Usually, Kutya is made of wheat berries, but in my family, it has always been rice Kutya with lots of raisins and walnuts. So you can actually classify it as a dessert. I like to have it for breakfast. Pick your favourite grain: wheat,…
Uzvar (Dried fruits infusion)
Uzvar is an ancient Ukrainian drink made of mixed dried fruits. Classic combinations are apples, pears, and smoked prunes. But of course, you can use any fruits that you like. Just avoid the fruits that were soaked in sugar syrup. Uzvar has a natural, subtle, sweet taste and is pleasant to drink as it is….
Vegan Olivier salad (Vegan Soviet salad)
Vegan Olivier salad, also known as Soviet salad, is an ultimate Soviet classic. It is the main dish on almost every table during the winter holidays – Christmas and New Year. This recipe, even though it’s vegan, is the most classic version ever. Pickled cucumber, canned green peas and sausage – this is what makes…
Vegan Shuba (Eggplant under the sea)
Vegan Shuba or vegan Herring under the fur coat or Seliodka pod Shuboy – one of the Soviet symbols of the New Year. Veganised. Mostly, all classic Soviet salads are made of boiled vegetables, some kind of meat, and/or eggs that are smothered with greasy mayonnaise. As awful as it sounds, but from time to…
Tofu pancakes (Vegan syrniki)
These tofu pancakes are a vegan variation of syrniki – Ukrainian thick pancakes made of cottage cheese. The Veganniki are mild, fluffy, and easier to digest. I highly suggest coconut oil for frying, it gives them an amazing, delicate flavour. This recipe is very close to the original. But if you like to make it…
Vegan Borscht
Borscht is the King of the Ukrainian table. Every Borscht tastes different. I’m going to share with you this family recipe of vegan Borscht. Initially, it is made with meat, like almost everything in Ukrainian cuisine. So for the umami flavour of the stock, I’m using porcini mushrooms. The closest substitute is dried shiitake. But…
Ukrainian “Vinaigrette” salad
This traditional Ukrainian dish is highly popular during Lent before Christmas. You can make it with vinaigrette dressing to justify the name, but most family recipes just use oil. There are a few different versions of this salad. You can use green peas instead of beans and sauerkraut instead of pickles. You can roast, boil…