The varenukha is an authentic Ukrainian hot beverage, which is made of vodka or liquor with dried fruits, raisins, etc., honey, cinnamon or spicy roots. It is peculiarly cooked – mixed ingredients are placed in clay pot topped with dough or with a lid on, and then put into heated oven (from 5 hrs to 24 hrs). It is an easy-to-cook beverage however lots of time is required. Therefore if you want to surprise your guests, it’s better to take care of it beforehand.
The spotykach is commonly confused with liquors however there is a significant difference. The spotykach is sweeter, denser and more aromatic, and it is reckoned to be a dessert beverage. Following these directions any fruits can be used, nevertheless the recipe with blackcurrants is considered to be the classic one.
It is a common beverage throughout Western Ukraine – the dried plums were soaked in water and cooked until the fruits almost dissolve. The drink bears strong resemblance to a dense kissel.
In spite of a common opinion that arrow-wood is only a decorative bush it is well-known for its medicinal properties. It is used to cure flu – some people are used to make an arrow-wood tea, the others tend to eat it its berries. Moreover, one can make an age-old beverage kissel, which can help to fight thirst and will grant a necessary amount of vitamins.
The sbiten is an age-old Slavic beverage. It was well-loved in Kievan Rus for it unusual flavor and pleasant fragrance. It bears a resemblance to grog and mulled wine; however, the sbiten differs from its European brothers in using of alcohol – the Ukrainian drink is based on water.
The sbiten is a drink made with honey, different herbs and spices, which give it peculiar taste. This hot beverage possesses warming and anti-inflammatory effects, so it is served mostly in the winter.
Nevertheless,
The uzvar is a national Ukrainian beverage, cooked with dried fruits and berries. Moreover, some housewives tend to add species – cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg – that will give the drink an exotic flavor.
The main ingredients of uzvar are dried apples, pears, plums and raisins; sometimes fresh raspberries, blueberries or strawberries might be added. Nevertheless the protagonist and reason of inimitable flavor and fragrance is honey. It substitutes sugar.
The uzvar could be consumed both hot
Kissel is an original drink that is highly valued for its perfect taste, excellent aroma and useful properties, since Kievan Rus times.
In Rus fragrant and tasty kissel was made from oats, wheat and other cereal crops. Now it is boiled mostly from fresh or dries berries and fruits, fruit-and-berry juices and syrups adding potato or corn starch, which makes it very thick.
The starch makes kissel very nourishing and caloric, and fruits and berries - very healthy and rich with vitamins.
Besides fru
Kvass is a popular Slavic drink known since the Kievan Rus times. Made from rye or barley malt, it is not only very tasty, but refreshing and helpful for metabolic processes' normalization. Besides that, kvass is traditionally summer drink that perfectly slakes thirst and increases efficiency.
In order to make real kvass, you need minimum ingredients and maximum patience, for it is a very long process. Kvass's main components are rye bread, water, yeast and sugar. Some also add various herbs, d
The cold soups are very popular during summer season. Two most famous Ukrainian cold soups are okrosha and beetroot soup (commonly known as kholodnik or svekolnik). There are both lean and meat beetroot soups.
Many people tend to associate the stuffed goose with a holiday. Firstly, because this dish looks festive and imposing, secondly, it is very delicious and mouth-watering. The recipe itself is very simple; however it requires lots of time and preparation because the goose should be marinated from night to soak in necessary amount of spices. There are
Lazy vareniki is a traditional Ukrainian dish. They are called lazy, while they demand less cooking time and efforts than traditional ones.
It is nothing else, but boiled dough mixed with stuffing - mostly curd. Lazy vareniki can be also made with potatoes, meat or mushrooms.
Depending on stuffing they may be salty or sweet. Both are served with so
It is popular Ukrainian home recipe. This appetizer is very nutritious and beneficial; however it can be served during fasting. The dish is very easy-to-cook and won’t take long to be made. It could be served as both appetizer and side dish.
