I’ve been craving Romanian rhubarb cake ever since summer began. There’s something about that perfect balance between sweet and sour that makes it such a nostalgic treat. But somehow, every time I went to the supermarket, rhubarb was nowhere to be found. I’d almost forgotten about it, until one day I spotted a bunch of […]
Desserts, Traditional Romanian Dishes
Romanian Macaroni Pudding With Cottage Cheese and Raisins Recipe – Budinca de Macaroane
The Romanian macaroni pudding with cottage cheese and raisins is a dessert I grew up with, and this recipe brings in so many memories. Before I ever encountered spaghetti carbonara or penne arrabbiata, pasta, to me, meant one thing: sweet. This dish was a regular treat growing up, especially during school holidays, when my grandma […]
I am very fond of this extremely easy Romanian strawberry tart recipe, and I think that’s because it was one of the first desserts I learned to make as a child. It brings back such fond memories of hot summer days, sweet strawberries, and the thrill of “cooking” something all by myself. It was mostly […]
There’s no Romanian seaside holiday without the unmistakable smell of freshly fried hamsii drifting through the salty air. Walk along the promenade in Eforie Nord or Mangalia, where I used to go in holiday, and you’ll see beachgoers queuing for cardboard trays of sizzling hot anchovies still crackling from the fryer, sprinkled with coarse salt […]
Main meals, Traditional Romanian Dishes
Romanian Chicken and Onion Stew Recipe – Tocanita de Ceapa cu Pui
If you grew up in Romania—or even just had the joy of eating in a Romanian home—you already know that tocanita is the ultimate comfort food. It’s one of those dishes that doesn’t need much fuss. A few onions, some root veggies, maybe a bit of meat, and somehow it turns into something magical. Everyone […]
I always thought that pilaf was the “solid” alternative to chicken soup. It gives that same comfort and homely feeling, with a rich chicken flavour that feels like a big hug, especially when it’s cold outside. The taste of a good Romanian chicken pilaf is both hearty and delicate: the rice is soft and creamy […]
Picture this: Easter has just passed and you’re left with a basket full of beautifully dyed red eggs. As much as we love seeing them on the festive table, eating them all before they go bad can be a challenge. That’s where this classic Romanian Egg Salad recipe, or Salata de Oua, comes in. It’s […]
If there’s one thing Romanians love on a chilly day, it’s a steaming bowl of sour soup, or ciorba. Among the many variations, Ciorba Taraneasca de Porc—a rustic Romanian pork soup—is one of the heartiest and most comforting. Loaded with tender pork, root vegetables, and the unmistakable tang of bors (fermented wheat bran) or pickled […]
I grew up with Chiftele – this staple versatile traditional Romanian food. Whilst you will rarely find them in restaurants, they are made at home at least a couple of times a month. The Romanian pork meatballs might look just like their relatives around the world, but they taste completely different. Firstly, they have a […]
I spent the last weekend in Romania, visiting my family. As spring just arrived, so did the first fresh vegetables of the year, including the red orach. This leafy spring green is a staple of the spring Romanian cuisine, and it is used to make a delicious soup that is often consumed during lent because […]