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Baba's Cook Book
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- Description
Forward to Baba's Cook Book
Ever since I was a young girl, I loved to help Mom in the kitchen. Growing up in a family of eleven, there always seemed to be something cooking at all times. From mouth-watering, fresh bread baked in the outdoor oven, to the pots of wholesome soups bubbling on the woodstoves, to roasters of creamed chicken, cabbage rolls and fresh berry pies tucked in the oven, these memories remain vivid in my mind and heart as everyone had an indirect part in the preparation of the meals.
My place on the farm was in the house, right in the kitchen, helping and learning the "secrets" and "basics" in making the food tasty and delicious. Over the years, I have always sought out good food and the recipes that came with them. Through the vast travels with my family, I have compiled a wealth of special recipes along with the traditional favorites that I grew up with. Many recipes here have been shared with you by friends, family and neighbours. With a common love of eating tasty food, I present to you - "Baba's Cook Book".
Happy Cooking,
Emily Linkiewich
Table of Contents
Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve Dishes Traditional Ukrainian Easter Breakfast Soups Meats and Casseroles Fish Breads.and Buns Cakes and Tortes Squares Cookies Pastry and Pies Canning and Pickles Icings Salads Desserts Household Hints | 10 19 26 29 46 54 61 90 98 108 122 129 133 138 146 |
Christmas (Rizdvo)
The most beloved of all Ukrainian festivities is the Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper). The supper differs from others in that twelve meatless dishes (symbolic of the twelve apostles) are prepared without animal fat, milk or milk products. This is done because Christmas is preceded by a period of fasting which ends on Christmas Day, after midnight or morning Church Service.
After the Kutia, other delectable dishes are then served. Christmas Carols beginning with the oldest known koliady "Boh Predvichny" (God Eternal) are sung together. It is a night for family togetherness.
From: Baba's Cook Book, page 8
Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve Dishes
- Kutia (wheat)
- Sauerkraut and peas
- Borsch (beet soup)
- Jellied fish
- Fried fish
- Verenyky (prune, sauerkraut, raisin and poppy seed fillings)
- Hlubtsi (cabbage rolls)
- Cooked beans
- Beets with mushrooms
- Stewed dry fruits
- Kolach (bread)
- Pompushky
- Beverage
Easter (Velykden)
The observance of the Great Lent six weeks before Easter initiates the duration of time which spiritual purification, personal retreat, and fasting are observed. Confession and Holy Communion are then partaken by the faithful so as to cleanse and purify the soul.
One of the mosl beautiful traditions of the Ukrainian people is the writing of decorated Easter eggs called "Pysanky." In pagan times, pysanky symbolized the release of the earth from the bonds of winter and the arrival of spring. They are associated with mythical beliefs and magical powers. After the coming of Christianity, the pysanky were then associated with the Resurrection, a symbol of eternal life. A customary exchange or gift of a pysanka at Easter is something to be cherished and loved.
At break of dawn on Easter Sunday a special Resurrection Service is held which includes a procession around the church. The most joyful aspect of the service is the heralding of the resurrected Christ in 1he singing of Khrystos Voskres (Christ is Risen). With the conclusion of the service, weather permitting, all exit 10 outside the church and form a circle. The embroidered covered baskets containing an array of meticulously prepared foods are proudly exhibited in front of each family. A candle is lit and placed in each basket. Anxious children peer from behind the colorful woven vessels to watch the priest bless the food with Holy water. We now extend the traditional Easter greeting "Khrystos Voskres" (Christ is Risen), to which the reply is "Voistyno Voskres" (Truly He is Risen).
Families return home to break the long fast with a delicious meal. After the Lord's Prayer and the traditional Easter salutation, a blessed egg is cut into pieces, one for everyone present and then a little of each type of food from the basket is consumed. Following this, larger portions are served from a variety of prepared dishes.
This observance not only expresses the families unity but fills their religious aspirations and beliefs in the preservation of a glorious time-honored ritual and tradition.
From: Baba's Cook Book, page 18
Traditional Ukrainian Easter Breakfast
- Blessed boiled egg
- Paska
- Babka
- Ham
- Pork roast
- Kyshka (buckwheat sausage)
- Kobassa (ham sausage)
- Salteson
- Easter syrnyk
- Beet and horseradish relish
- Butter
- Pysanky and krashanky (decorated eggs for oranamentation)