The Flavors of Eastern Europe – Delightful Dishes and Easy Recipes

Eastern Europe is a great place with lots of different cultures and traditions! Cooking Eastern European food is a great experience and you should try pierogies, schnitzels, borscht, and strudel! We’ll show you how to make these yummy dishes in your own kitchen.  And we’ll also show you how to make one of our favorite dishes called Kalduny, which is delicious and comforting.

Pierogies( Poland)

Pierogies are delicious Polish dumplings that are enjoyed in Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania. They’re like little pockets made of dough, filled with yummy ingredients like potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, mushrooms, or even fruit. Here’s a simple recipe for classic potato and cheese pierogies:

Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of warm water
• 2 cups of mashed potatoes
• 1 cup of shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup of diced onion
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. First, let’s make the dough. In a bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Make a hole in the center and crack the egg into it. Use a fork to mix the egg, then add the warm water. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth. Let it rest for about 10-15 minutes.
2. In another bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, diced onion, butter, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well.
3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface, then use a cookie cutter or glass to cut it into circles.
4. Place a spoonful of the potato and cheese mixture in the center of each dough circle. Fold the circle in half and use a fork to seal the edges.
5. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully drop the pierogies into the pot and cook them for 3-5 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they float to the surface.
6. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pierogies from the water. Serve them hot with a side of sour cream.

Kalduny (Belarus)

Kalduny is a traditional dish from Belarus that’s perfect for colder months. It’s a type of dumpling filled with delicious meat. Making Kalduny is easy, and the dough is soft and fluffy with a tasty meaty filling. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 cup of water
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 pound of ground beef (you can use other types of meat if you prefer)
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Let’s start by making the dough. Mix the flour, salt, and water in a bowl until it forms a smooth dough. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes and set it aside.
2. In another bowl, mix the ground beef, chopped onion, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper to make the filling.
3. Now, divide the dough into small pieces and roll them into thin circles. Place a spoonful of the filling in the middle of each circle.
4. Fold the edges of each circle towards the center, creating a ball. Gently press down on each dumpling to flatten it slightly.
5. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully place the Kalduny into the boiling water and cook them for about 10-12 minutes, or until they rise to the surface.
6. Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings from the water. Serve them hot and you can add fresh herbs like parsley or dill as a garnish.

If you want to try some different Kalduny recipe, you can also make Belarusian potato pancakes filled with meat. These pancakes, called draniki, are made by grating potatoes and mixing them with flour, eggs, and milk. Then, a spoonful of meat filling is added, and the pancake is fried until crispy. Serve them with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy!

Borscht (Ukraine)

Borscht is a popular Ukrainian soup known for its vibrant pink color. It’s a delicious and hearty dish that’s perfect for warming up on a cold day. The classic recipe includes beets, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Here’s a simple way to make it:

Ingredients

• 3 beets, peeled and grated
• 4 cups of chicken or beef broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup of cabbage, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of butter or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt the butter or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, potatoes, and chopped cabbage. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables become slightly soft.
2. Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, and grated beets to the pot. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring everything together.
3. Pour in the chicken or beef broth and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes.
4. Add the vinegar, and season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
5. Serve the borscht hot, and you can add a dollop of sour cream and some fresh chopped dill on top for extra flavor.

Enjoy your comforting bowl of homemade borscht with a slice of rye bread!

Bottom Line

Eastern European food is full of flavor, color, and history. From hearty soups to rich meat-filled dumplings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. These three recipes are just a taste of the delicious dishes that come from this region. So next time you’re looking to try something new in the kitchen, why not give one of these Eastern European food recipes a try? The rich flavors and comforting aromas are sure to delight your senses. And don’t forget to make Kalduny, a favorite of Belarusians that will surely make its way into your recipe box.