The Authentic Ukrainian Kitchen: Recipes from a Native Chef

Celebrate Ukraine’s independent spirit and unique culture in 100 recipes from the “powerhouse” chef “on the frontlines of defending democracy” (José Andrés, World Central Kitchen).

Now, more than ever, Ukrainian cuisine and culture deserve to be known around the world. Here, Yevhen Klopotenko shares modern recipes for the dishes that best express Ukraine’s unique culinary heritage and define the independent spirit of its people.

Inside you’ll find fresh ideas about how to use common vegetables, new approaches to fermentation and pickling, the delight of dumplings and simple baked goods, hearty long-simmered braises, and the pleasure of babka, torte, candied fruit, and so much more.

Klopotenko is Ukraine’s most internationally celebrated chef, and these recipes are the result of years of research into regional Ukrainian cooking. He has peeled back layers of propaganda to identify true Ukrainian cuisine, shaped by tradition, geography, and agriculture. Known as the “breadbasket of Europe,” Ukraine’s beloved dishes include:

• Borsch, the national treasure, and its many variations
• Pampushky, easy garlic bread rolls
• Varenyky, dumplings stuffed with sweet or savory fillings
• Deruny, fried potato pancakes
• Sweet and savory breakfasts, simple salads and dips, and hearty braises
• Lviv-style cheesecake, nut torte, and many more desserts

 
But this cookbook is about more than the food: It stands for the preservation of a culture under threat and the independence of people under attack.