I have to confess that it is the first time I am cooking this Romanian leek stew with olives recipe. As the 1st of April approaches, which would have been my grandma’s birthday, I found myself thinking about her more and more. And this is one of the recipes she used to cook often. I […]
Traditional Romanian Dishes, Main meals, Romanian Vegetarian Dishes
Romanian Garlic Mushrooms With Sour Cream Sauce Recipe – Ciuperci cu Smantana
During the 40 days leading up to Easter, many Romanians observe Lent, a period when meat consumption is reduced or avoided altogether, especially on Fridays. Even for those who are not particularly religious, this time of year often coincides with the arrival of spring, when lighter, vegetable-based dishes start appearing more often on the table. […]
Romanian Cuisine, Traditional Romanian Dishes
Traditional Romanian Breakfast – What to Eat in Romania for Breakfast?
I love a good traditional Romanian breakfast. At home, I’m really not a breakfast person. Most mornings start with a hot coffee and that’s about it until lunchtime rolls around. But every time I go back to Romania, something shifts. Coffee is still there, obviously, but it’s suddenly accompanied by plates of food, sliced bread, […]
I’ve been thinking for a long time to write about “mamaliga”, this staple of the Romanian cuisine. But I’ve always delayed it because, even if it’s such a humble traditional dish, is so embedded into us, Romanians, that any way I’d explain the recipe, would create controversy. This is because no mamaliga is the same. […]
Romanian Vegetarian Dishes, Traditional Romanian Dishes
Romanian Vegetables Stew Recipe – Ghiveci de Legume
I’ll be honest, growing up, I wasn’t the biggest fan of ghiveci de legume. I think it had something to do with the texture of aubergine, which my younger self refused to enjoy, or maybe it was because there was no meat in sight. As a child, the absence of meat in a meal automatically […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]