Ukrainian cuisine

Since ancient times Ukrainian cuisine is known as one of the best. It has a long history and offers a big variety of dishes.

Ukrainian cuisine originates in the peasant dishes based on different vegetables, such as potatoes, beets, cabbage and mushrooms. Vegetables are still very popular. Nowadays many dishes are made of potatoes, as well as cheese, butter, bread, milk, and different kinds of meat (pork, beef, chicken etc). Meat can be prepared in many various ways, it can be boiled, fried, smoked or stewed.

Russian brides use an abundance of different products while making a dish, for example, borsch (Ukrainian national soup) includes more than twenty different products, and the right combination of the ingredients makes it especially nourishing and delicious.

Russian ladies also use onion, garlic, black and red pepper, bay leaf, berries, and different herbs while cooking. Besides, they combine different ways of heat treatment of the products while preparing the dishes. Most of the ingredients are at first boiled of fries, and then baked or stewed. The ladies also properly combine the dressings to make the dishes tasty and juicy.

Nowadays the national culinary art is enriched and further developed. The traditional forms of the dishes are still popular, however, some modern variations can also be found in many Ukrainian homes today. New spices and herbs are now available in the market, and Russian girls use them to improve the flavor of the traditional dishes.

Ukrainian dishes are usually filling, besides it is common to serve them in large quantities.

Nowadays one can find traditional Ukrainian meals at a restaurant. However, the best way to try Ukrainian food is while visiting somebody’s home.

Most Russian women for marriage are very good cooks. All the foreign visitors, especially the ones who take interest in the culinary art will find Ukrainian food delicious and healthy.

Here are some of the national Ukrainian dishes:

Borsch – the national vegetable soup (usually made with beets). There are more than thirty recipes for Borsch. It originated in Ukraine, although now it is popular in other Slavic countries too.

Varenyky – boiled dumplings, can be filled with cheese, potatoes, cabbage, or fruits, oiled with butter and served with sour cream.

Pyrohy – baked/fried dumplings, filled with fruit, berries, or poppy seed.

Salo – salted pork fat, similar to bacon but with a higher ratio of fat to meat, (sometimes jokingly referred to as Ukraine's "official food").

Mlyntsi/Bliny – crepes, usually filled with cheese, fruits, or meat.

Paska – the traditional Easter bread. Paska is decorated with some Easter symbols on the top.

Korowai – the wedding bread, decorated with birds and periwinkle on the top.

Kutia – a traditional Christmas dish, made of poppy seeds, wheat, nuts, honey, and delicacies.

Olivye – a popular holiday salad. Foreigners often call it "the Russian salad".

Vinihret – a red beetroot salad with potatoes, peas, onions and beans.

Shashlik – this meal is identical to the Georgian shish kebab: lamb and vegetables are marinated in vinegar and grilled on skewers under white wine.

Compote – a sweet beverage made of fruits or berries, which are usually dried.

Kvass – a beverage prepared from bread through a process similar to brewing beer.

Kefir – a very healthy fermented milk drink. Kefir contains millions of healthy micro flora per cup.