Māra is one of the ancient Latvian deities – mother of the land, protector of women and guardian of livestock. In the modern times, Māras are...
Pork aspic (Galerts)
Recipe #20 in my 1920ies cookbook “Vārīšanas un cepšanas māksla” is Suckling Pig Aspic (Sivēna galerts). The original recipe leaves a lot of room for imagination:...
Cabbage filling for pīrāgi
Those who have visited Latvia know that there is more than one way to fill a pīrāgs. Bacon (or speck) and onion is the traditional way,...
What and How Latvians Used to Eat. Acorn Coffee, Beer, Sugar and Sweets.
What and How Latvians Used to Eat Have you ever wondered what our Latvian ancestors used to eat? Are you curious when the staples we recognise...
Caramel cookies (Riekstiņi)
Riekstiņi (“Little nuts”) is the closest thing to a cookie sandwich you can get in Latvia. It usually is made in the shape of a walnut;...
Birch sap (Bērzu sulas)
Health benefits of birch sap March is the time of the year when birch sap, also known as birch juice or birch water, is collected. It...
Carrot pudding (Burkānu pudiņš)
Recipe #295 in my Latvian cookbook project is carrot pudding (burkānu pudiņš). First, I have to clarify that “pudding” in this book does not mean dessert....
How to cut an onion?
Onion is one of the most common flavourings in Latvian food. Not to mention pīrāgi, where finely chopped onion is one of the few star ingredients....
What and How Latvians Used to Eat. Dairy.
What and How Latvians Used to Eat Have you ever wondered what our Latvian ancestors used to eat? Are you curious when the staples we recognise...
Wax beans (Vaska pupas)
Wax beans, also known as butter beans, are my favourite summer vegetable. Softer and sweeter than their green bean cousins, they were served at lunch or...
What and How Latvians Used to Eat. Meat, Fish, Mushrooms and Native Plants
Have you ever wondered what our Latvian ancestors used to eat? Are you curious when the staples we recognise today were introduced? How did they create...
Jam tea cake (Ievārījuma kēkss)
What do you do with jam that has gone off? Latvians in all their thrifty knowledge will have an answer for this, of course. To be...