Borshch in Kyiv
Bijos in Krakow
Bryndzové Halušky and Kotlíkový Guláš in Bratislava
Cevapcici in Sarajevo
Chicken Kyiv in Kyiv
Savory Varenyky in Kyiv
Oscypek in Krakow
Cherry Varenyky in Kyiv
We love wandering around Europe, particularly the regions less visited. So the past few years we’ve focused on traveling throughout Eastern Europe, the Baltic States, and the Balkans.
We take delight in the wine, goats, bunkers, lavender, fortresses, lace, folk dance, and … the food!
From Chicken Kiev in Ukraine to ostrich eggs in Estonia, Oscypek and Bigos in Poland, Bryndzové Halušky and Kotlíkový Guláš in Slovakia, and Cevapcici in Bosnia – we’ve enjoyed them all!
Now we’re ready to sample some new Balkan dishes. Next we’ll tell you what delicacies we’re longing to taste.
What about you? Do you have some favorite European dishes?
Cheers,
Terri & James
GALLIVANCE 
Mmmmmmm. That cherry thingy makes me hungry 🙂
Alison
I’m with you, Alison. Anything with cherry in it has my name all over it! When we tried it in Kyiv it took me back to my childhood memories of cherry trees and my Mom’s cherry pie. 🙂 ~Terri
Wow! All of that looks amazing. Jealous!
Us too, Kelsey. We’re really looking forward to the Balkan cuisine. Last time we were there we had some wonderful fall apples. So glad you stopped by. 🙂 All the best, Terri
Oh drool!! I have massive sweet tooth and a soft spot for macaroons! It was way too much indulgence when I was in Paris. Ostrich eggs sound exotic and I’d love to try! I’ve had Ostrich steak and it’s super juicy and tender.
Hi Juliet, how could I have forgotten macaroons – one of James’ absolute faves. I just read that in the Balkans they call them “Parachuters.” Love the name! 🙂 We’ll have to be on the lookout for them. Here’s a link to the recipe: http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/'Parachuters'%20-%20Macaroons%20of%20Balkan/53472/
I haven’t tasted ostrich steak. Does it taste like any other meat? ~Terri
That chicken kiev looks awesome. Who am I kidding, it all looks awesome, especially the beer.
Jeff, we learned that the Chicken Kiev is truly delicious – you just have to be prepared for the squirt of melted butter that shoots out when you cut into it. Great way to ruin a good shirt. And thanks to you we have embraced your concept of the “Bell Bar” so that beer fits right in! 🙂 ~Terri
James: You had me at borscht. I’d start in Austria with a wienerschnitzel and end up France with a millefeuille (or deux)!
I love your menu, Amit. We should have lots of opportunities to sample many versions of borscht. You had my mouth watering at the mention of millefeuille, so I checked to see what the Balkan version is. Evidently they call it “Kremšnita” and it sounds wonderful. http://www.lesnerds.ca/kremsnita-ou-le-mille-feuille-des-balkans/
And it appears that Belgrade, Serbia is a great place to sample wienerschnitzel. Now it’s on our list. Thanks for the inspiration. ~Terri
Wow, a Balkan version, who would have thunk it? May you enjoy the fruits (and veggies, sweets and treats) of your oh-so-excellent voyage!
Anything in Greece, from salads to souvlaki!
Oh yes, Andrew! Give me a gyro and Greek salad any day. Since Balkan food is heavily influenced by Mediterranean cooking, we should be able to get our fix – particularly in Macedonia I’m betting. Did you run into Greek food in Montenegro? ~Terri
In Montenegro we stayed in a pretentious boutique hotel with an ‘international’ menu. I remember a lot of fish!
It’s always so interesting to see what ends up on an ‘international menu.’ Sometimes it’s downright weird!
Thumbs up for borsch, and pyrohy and holopchi. Good for the muffin top, for sure.
Too funny about the muffin top, Yvonne … and so true! 🙂 I had to look up holopchi (cabbage rolls) and I’m definitely looking forward to giving them a try. Thanks so much for the suggestion. ~Terri
I have not yet visited Eastern Europe, but looking at these yummy delights I think I am going to love it there. Enjoying the local food is a big part of why I love travelling. Thanks for these visual feast!
You’re very welcome, Gilda. I bet you had some wonderful food when you were in Italy – good fuel for climbing that mountain. 🙂 ~Terri
I love borscht, but unfortunately Steve doesn’t. I used to make it once or twice a year, but it isn’t really something you can make for just one and eating it for several days in a row is too much. Funny, I almost never think to photograph meals when I travel.
Laura, I love borscht, too, but James – not so much. He says he’s willing to give it another try. I’ve never made borsht – do you have a favorite recipe? And as for the photographing food – we almost always forget because we’re too busy digging in! 🙂 ~Terri
Even after living there for 4 years, Balkan food is not my favorite – but I recall one beautiful meal in Macedonia – long stuffed peppers, beautiful spices. Pohanji Sir or something like that. Look forward to your travels – and always, always, pics and tales of FOOD! Bon voyage!
That’s right, Tricia, you were living in Former Yugoslavia during trying times – to say the least. I can understand that Balkan food may not be at the top of your list. The meal you described in Macedonia sounds wonderful. I did some research on the stuffed peppers you described, and the closest match I could find was this enticing article in Saveur. Do these look like what you remember? ~Terri
http://www.saveur.com/article/Kitchen/Smoky-Hot-Stuffed-Peppers-of-Macedonia
Oh yes! You are brilliant! I’ve tried to recreate them before (you know how disappointing that can be since our memories are about more than just the taste) but this recipe looks promising! Thanks!
I lived on Borek in Croatia – so good for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Also had the best squid I’ve ever tasted.
Angharad, we also fell in love with Borek when we were in Sarajevo – it became our go-to comfort food. And from my research, there are many versions of it across the Balkans. Good news! I’m curious about the squid – how was it prepared? So glad you stopped by. ~Terri
I really enjoy reading your blog, it always sparks reminders of my own past travels. In terms of the squid, whole adult or baby squid were really simply prepared – I think they were marinated in oil and garlic before being grilled. It was just so amazingly fresh and never at all ‘rubbery’. I think there are as many versions of borek as there are bakers – it was always different and always delicious. I could never decide if I preferred the meat or cheese variety…
Thanks so much for your kind words. That squid sounds delicious and it just went on my “must try” list. Thanks. I just read that they also make a fruit version of borek – what’s not to like! ~Terri
Great post showing the different dishes of such nice countries in Europe. They are really colourful ones and very attractive to the eyes!
Thanks very much, Roberto. I see that you were in Wroclaw. Did you discover Bar Bazylia, that great cafeteria by the Law College? It was such a great way to sample many dishes. ~Terri
Yes, I have been there in winter. It’s a beautiful city, but I was not aware of that cafeteria. I tried some restaurants around the Rynek and most of them were very good.
I think I shall need breakfast immediately after this delectable food review.
I will admit I am no foodie and eat very little meat. The food of Turkey was incredible. All of it. I’m also fond of Jeff’s suggestion of beer. 🙂 Oh and fried tomato balls in Santorini.
I agree Sue -the food in Turkey is wonderful. We fell in love with simit – those tasty sesame bread rings. I think we went through withdrawal when we left. I too am pretty light on the meat – living in Sudan where animals are slaughtered regularly on just about any street corner had an impact. That’s why I’m so excited about all the great salads. What were some of your faves in Turkey? ~Terri
I started thinking about foods in Eastern Europe (because all of Europe would have created wayyyy too long a list!), but I came to the conclusion that what I most loved in that part of the world was the beer! Sarajevska, Książęce, Ožujsko, Laško – those were my sustenance in a part of the world where meat ruled the menu (I’m a vegetarian)!
Ahhh, a fellow beer lover. Thanks for the suggestions on some to try. Of your list I’ve only had Laško. I’m looking forward to Tursu/Torshi, the pickled vegetables of many Balkan countries. And I’ve also read about Shopska, a salad made from tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, peppers, and cheese. Have you had either of those? ~Terri
I’ve had the pickled vegetables (good!), but not the salad by that name, at least to my knowledge (I could very well have eaten it!). It sounds somewhat like the typical Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta, though, so I’m sure it will be yummy. Enjoy!
Kudos to you for the great shots but also remembering the names of the food you were eating! I’ve tried remembering, but that doesn’t work. Now resorting to using the Notes feature on my phone (Should have done that long ago!). Looking forward to more great culinary delights no matter where you’re traveling. You see, I can’t resist sampling the goods; your pics just help me cut the calories!
Many thanks, Rusha! Some of the food names are so complicated I’ve resorted to taking a photo of them on the menu or chalkboard out front. Love the idea of using the Notes feature on your phone. I would guess that the food you sampled in Russia would also be present in parts of the Balkans. Any suggestions? ~Terri
You’re right. There are probably many similarities. I’d have to look at old pics. We had a huge buffet of all Russian foods on the cruise we took, and some of the dishes were labeled. Otherwise, I would never know.
Have you room for one more at the table. I’m drooling and it’s only 9:40 a.m. here. 😀
Love the photos. Thanks for sharing.
Tess, you’re back! Yaaaaay! We missed you. And isn’t it a day early? So glad to see you … and yes, of course, pull up a chair. 🙂 ~Terri
Not quite back–just thought I’d put a toe into the blogging waters to check the temperature. Will pop in and out for a week or so and then “I have a ticket for an airplane…” 😉
Welcome not-quite-back, Tess. How mysterious – a plane ticket. Any clues? ~T
L.a.t.e.r. but soon. 😉
Isn’t the Oscypek fun (and delicious)? They are all so beautiful!
Jeannee, we were totally enthralled with the Oscypek – on first glance thinking that it was bread – only to discover that it was marvelous smoked cheese. James perfected a delicious Oscypek and salami panini. And I just saw your recipe for your Grandfather’s Belarusian Borscht – I love the addition of the pork. I’m definitely going to try his recipe when we get home. Do you have any other suggestions on foods we should try? ~Terri
Yes, they look like little pastries 🙂 And foods to try ? Such a long list! Hoping to get back to blogging this fall with a series on our trip to/foods from the Baltic….
I was raised on borscht and varenyky (which we called perogy but it is the same thing and sooooo good) Now I am hungry and don´t know where I can find varenky here in Spain. Have fun finding new and interesting things to eat on this trip to tempt us with.
Darlene, I can totally sympathize with missing foods from your childhood. I know when we moved to Sudan I went into withdrawal from many everyday US foods. When I searched for varenyky and borscht in Spain, the top suggestions were for Russian restaurants in Madrid. How far are you from there? ~Terri
Thanks. I am 3 hours by train away from Madrid. Should I get there, I will check out the Russian restaurants. You never know, I may find some around Orihuela Costa as well.
That’s the way to travel – what’s on your plate! Yummy.
Leslie
It sounds like we are kindred spirits, Leslie. 🙂 Can’t wait. ~Terri
Fun post! Did you ever try the ‘green’ borscht? Not my favorite, but an interesting change. I agree with the other comments, Ukrainian borscht is wonderful. I celebrate winter every year by cooking up a big pot in my kitchen.
No Susan, I’ve never had “green borscht.” What’s in it? I did have traditional (red) borscht in Kyiv and loved it. Do you have a favorite recipe? ~Terri
The ‘zeleny borscht’ is a chervil/sorrel/spinach variation. Your post inspired me, and I am going to make some today (or perhaps the more traditional red borshch). I’ll let you know how it turns out.
You are sure to get a lot of reads and likes with a title like this post had! Yummyy!!
LOL Vilma! I guess I’m trying to appeal to your heart through your stomach! 🙂 ~Terri
So much of travel is about trying new foods and the dishes you have pictured make my mouth water! Some look like fine dining and some look like comfort foods but they all look delish! Anita
You totally nailed it, Anita – mixing street food with fine dining is the perfect mix. (Although I must admit we probably enjoy the street food the most! 🙂 ) You must be having some wonderful food there in Portugal – I have very fond memories of a little restaurant in Lisbon called Xele Bananas for its dishes that combined unique ingredients. Have you made any new food discoveries? ~Terri
Favourite European dishes might well be the cheeses. As a lover of cheese I’m thinking at the moment of a Greek salad with Feta. Salads, too…and mushrooms. Tuna fish In a taverna in Tavira, Portugal. Duck breast in a bistro in Bordeaux. Yeah! I just like real food, well cooked, with a glass of wine to accompany it.
Enjoy the Balkans. Long time since I was last there – in the former Jugoslavia.
Hi Dorothy, it sounds like we have the same palate because everything you mentioned sounds delicious! So you were there when it was Jugoslavia – how fascinating. Tricia (commenter above) was also there at that time and remembered some long, stuffed peppers that were to-die-for. Did you have anything like that? ~Terri
Looks delicious! Yum! One of our favorite things when we visited LA a couple of weeks ago was the food we were served. Mmmmmm.
Everyplace has regional favorites Pam, and that’s the fun. We’re always on the lookout for tiny spice packets to bring home with us. ~James
Lovely, and I am sure quite tasty too!
Naomi, it’s Sunday here in Novi Sad, Serbia, and we’re on a search for a great local beer and cevapi. It’s a wonderful local version of gyro (sort of), and makes tasty, fast food. ~James
Happy hunting!
The pictures, oh YUM!! I would love to visit Europe one day, and really enjoyed your descriptive blog!
Thank you so much! Part of the food fun is researching it online to see the cuisine of each country, then going there and trying it in person! 🙂 So glad that you stopped by. All the best, Terri
You can then make these foods at home when you return :)) I love to eat/sample foods from other cultures. So many great recipes we’ve never experienced. Enjoy!
Oh No! Now I’m hungry. It’s hard to choose a favourite European food but Goulash in Prague comes close, or pain au Chocolate in Paris.
Hearty stews are a favorite of mine as well Marie. We discovered a couple of wonderful cabbage and sausage stews in Poland that were outstanding. I understand that they cook long, slow, and low, which makes them so tasty. ~ James
Oh, there are some goodies aren’t there!
In Hungary we can’t get enough of Langos, Szegedi Halászlé (Szeged Fish Soup) and many other dishes.
We love the sweet Slovenian pastry that is Kremna rezina (a specialty near Bled)…
What other delights did you guys discover?
Chris, we loved the langos, but never had the fish soup. We are totally hooked on ajvar (a red pepper spread) and are questing our favorite brand – so far it’s “Mama’s” in Skopje. ~Terri
Oooh, we’ll keep an eye out for that one when we get there! Thanks for the hot tip Terri 🙂
No idea what cevapici is, but that looks freaking amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the comment Callie and for dropping by the blog. And to answer your question, this is cevapcici:
https://gallivance.net/2013/08/24/look-out-mcdonalds-here-comes-cevapcici-2/
It’s available in lots of places in this part of the world, and it’s great fast food. ~James
Thanks for that link. Wow, looks delicious. That sounds exactly like something I would love. And cheap, too! Really interesting.