Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Taste of Home - Ukrainian Food

I don't think we were ever so satisfied with the food in any country like we were in Ukraine. Why? Because everything reminded us of our childhood and our mama's cooking. My mom made a lot more Ukrainian dishes when we were kids than she does now, so mealtimes here often brought back great nostalgia. And after traveling for a few months already, we really appreciated food that tasted like home. 

Most of the food you see in this post, we still eat on a regular basis at family events or Ukrainian gatherings.

 - Julia

 Our favorite street food: hot belyashi (deep fried meat pies). So greasy and so good! This woman was very eager to serve and feed us, calling us her children.
Having coffee and dessert in the "library room" at the incredible House of Legends Cafe (which we wrote about here). 
Incredible apple pastry at the House of Legends. 
Egg scramble for breakfast with sausage and red peppers. 
Dreamy Oladki (Ukrainian pancakes) with honey butter dip. This restaurant inspired me to make these babies at home. 
Breaded veal with mushrooms and goat cheese and a side of "village style potatoes" with pieces of salo
 Kolbasa (sausage).
A typical meal at Puzata Hata-- an extremely popular self-serve cafeteria-style restaurant where it's impossible to not overeat! So many food options and so cheap. Also, the interior is cozy and decorated in a traditional Ukrainian cottage style. 
Cabbage salad, potatoes and kotlety (meatballs), and bowl of borscht in the back. 
Nalisniki (cheese filled crepes).
Deruny (potato pancakes) with sourcream.
Holubtsi (cabbage stuffed with rice and meat).
Vareniki (Ukrainian dumplings) stuffed with cherries.
Olivye (Ukranian style potato salad)
Nalisniki (cheese crepes) covered with cherry preserves and sour cream (have you noticed half the dishes are served with a side of sour cream?).