As a landlocked country, Belarus ’s diet is naturally influenced by surrounding countries, especially Russia and Eastern European countries.
Belarusian diet is rich in meat, potatoes and vegetables, especially potatoes, which are very popular in Belarus. Its per capita potato consumption ranks first in the world.
The following are some classic Belarusian delicacies~
Lazanki
In the 16th century, Lazanki was introduced to Belarus. Lazanki is actually the name of Belarus and Poland, referring to a kind of pasta.
It is made from wheat,rye or buckwheat flour, water, salt and oil. The dough is flattened into squares or triangles, then cooked in water and mixed with lard and onions. It can also be mixed with meat, cabbage or sour cream for a richer taste.
Halušky
Halušky is a type of potato dumpling, which is also common in Slovak and Czech in addition to Belarus. Its dough is made from potatoes and flour, cut into small balls and cooked directly in boiling water.
Halušky is irregular in shape, white in color and soft in taste.
Zacirka
Zacirka is a kind of pasta, which is made by mixing flour, eggs and water, then boiling it in milk and adding some water. It looks like porridge or batter.
Zacirka is a traditional Belarusian dish that has a very important place in the hearts of Belarusians.
Piachista
Piachista is a traditional Belarusian dish that resembles a meat platter, usually including pork, beef and chicken. The meats are seasoned with salt, pepper, onions and garlic before being roasted in the oven.
Piachista is usually cooked during festivals and is served with horseradish and a variety of sauces.
Pyachysta
Pyachysta is a traditional Belarusian dish usually prepared during festivals and some celebratory occasions. There is no set recipe for Pyachysta, but it usually involves stewed, roasted or boiled chicken, pork or beef. Pyachysta is almost always cooked with potatoes, but other options include carrots, peas, mushrooms or cabbage.
Vereshchaka
Vereshchaka is a traditional Belarusian stew that dates back to the 18th century and is said to have been invented by a royal cook named "Vereshchaka". This stew is usually made from pork sausage, bacon, onions, flour, beer and spices. Nowadays, there are also many variations of this dish, such as in Ukraine, where it is made with pork, rye bread, and beetroot paste.
Babka
Babka is a Belarusian potato-based food that is popular throughout the country.
Simply put, Babka is a baked potato . It is usually made by adding lard residue and onions to potatoes. Various meats are also added to it. Some people like to add bacon, and some people like to add bacon. Like to add ground beef. Babka can be eaten as is or with sour cream or milk.
Holodnoe
Holodnoe is aspic and is a classic Belarusian dish that is served at various celebrations. This aspic contains poultry, pork, beef, vegetables and spices and usually needs to be refrigerated overnight before consumption.
Machanka
Machanka is a Belarusian stew made from a mixture of pork, sour cream, flour and beef broth. The meat here can be bacon, sausage or ham and is cut into small pieces. In addition, the stew usually contains onions, mushrooms and dill.
Zhur
Zhur is a kind of soup which is called "Żurek" in Poland. It is characterized by a unique sour taste that comes from the fermentation of bread and rye flour . The soup also contains meats such as sausage, bacon or ham, and vegetables such as potatoes and mushrooms.
Khaladnik
Khaladnik is a cold beet soup that has been a Belarusian staple since the late 18th century. It's made from a blend of cooked beets, kefir, cucumbers, green onions and dill.
Traditionally, this soup is served with a dollop of sour cream, a bit of chopped dill, and sometimes a hard-boiled egg. Khaladnik has a unique pink color and a refreshing sour taste. There are similar dishes in Poland and Lithuania .
Sour Leaf Soup
Sour Leaf Soup is popular in Belarus and Russia. Soup made from Sour Leaf is considered very nutritious and is often eaten in spring or early summer.
A basic pickle soup recipe includes pickle, potatoes, carrots, parsley, hard-boiled eggs and beef or chicken broth.
Herring salad
Herring salad is an appetizer in Belarus. Its basic ingredients are carrots, beets, potatoes, herring and mayonnaise etc. This is a holiday delicacy that originated in the Soviet Union, so many Eastern European countries, including Belarus, have this dish.
Draniki
Draniki is the most typical Belarusian food. It is a potato pancake made from a mixture of potatoes, flour, milk, salt, eggs, pepper, onions and butter.
Usually it is fried in a pan until golden on both sides, but can also be cooked in the oven. Draniki is usually served with a dollop of sour cream on the side.
Tsibriki
Tsibriki is also a potato dish, which is simply potato balls. Mashed potatoes and cheese are rolled into balls and then fried in a pan.
Kalduni
Kalduni is a relatively large dumpling, similar to Italian ravioli, and is very common in Belarus and surrounding countries. It is made from a mixture of flour, water, salt and eggs and is stuffed with fillings.
Kalduni can be a staple or a dessert. As a staple food, it is usually filled with minced meat, mushrooms, fish or cheese. As a dessert, its filling is usually berries and dried fruits.
Pelmeni
Pelmeni are meat dumplings filled with pork, beef and lamb, and are well seasoned so they taste rich.
Smazhenka
Smazhenka is usually made from a thick layer of batter that is sprinkled with toppings. Common fillings for Smazhenka include mushrooms, chicken, ham and cheese. If you are vegetarian, you can choose a vegan version.
Grechaniki
Grechaniki is a buckwheat cake with various ingredients such as onions, flaxseed and mushrooms.
Buckwheat and buckwheat flour are one of the most important staple foods for Belarusians. This buckwheat cake has a hard, crunchy texture that can be stored for a long time, and has helped Belarusians survive severe winters in the past.
Knush
Knush is a round pie with an open top filled with different fillings. The traditional filling is cottage cheese, along with buckwheat, fried onions and potatoes. Knush is usually served with sour cream or soup, and is traditionally prepared during Lent and holidays.
Pancakes
Belarusian pancakes are simple and delicious. They are made from flour, milk and eggs and then fried in a pan.
Belarusians love pancakes with jam and sour cream, usually eaten for breakfast.
Sirniki
Sirniki is popular throughout Eastern Europe. Judging from the appearance, it is a kind of muffin.
Sirniki is made from cheese, eggs, flour and sugar, sometimes with raisins, dried fruits or poppy seeds added. Sirniki is usually served as breakfast or as a dessert after a main course, with jam and sour cream.
Karavai
Karavai looks like a round whip bread, usually baked with wheat flour, added with a lot of eggs and milk, and decorated with ethnic elements.
Karavai has great cultural significance and is often made for special events.
Kisel
Kisel is a thick, fruity drink that can be enjoyed both as a drink and as a dessert. It uses berry juice, then thickens with corn or potato starch, and sometimes oatmeal is added.
Kisel is a childhood memory of many Belarusians, especially in the 20th century, when it was a common drink in kindergarten lunch or dinner.
Kvass
Kvass is an ancient traditional drink made from buckwheat flour, wheat, rye, rye bread or barley, although it can also be made from any ingredient that can be fermented. Since the fermentation process is natural, the alcohol content is relatively low, and it is also regarded as a non-alcoholic drink in Russia.
Kvass has its origins related to Kievan Rus and is now a common drink in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
Krambambula
Krambambala is a Belarusian cocktail made from a mixture of different types of liquor such as red wine, rum, vodka or gin.
Krambambala is also considered the national drink of Belarus. There are many recipes for it, as wine can be mixed with any hard alcohol, depending on personal preference.
Sbiten
Sbiten is a traditional Belarusian honey drink that is very popular in winter. It is often called Slavic mulled wine, although Sbiten is usually non-alcoholic.
Sbiten dates back to the 12th century and became very popular in the 19th century. However, with the popularity of tea and coffee, this traditional hot drink has been gradually replaced.
The above are the various delicacies and drinks in Belarus~
Do you have any favorites?
