Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Latvia

Ask what Latvia eats and the answer starts with this: rye, dairy, and smoked fish define seasonal Baltic cooking, with grey peas and midsummer cheese. Look for Grey peas with bacon (marbled grey peas stewed with smoked bacon and onion; national dish), Rye bread (sweet-sour dark rye loaf at the heart of Latvian identity) and Jāņu siers (caraway-flecked curd cheese wheel for Midsummer Jāņi). Latvia’s national dish, eaten at Christmas, when custom holds that every pea must be finished or the year will bring tears. This atlas has 33 Latvia dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

33 dishes.

Aukstā gaļaAukstā gaļaJellied pork set in its own broth, sliced and eaten with mustard.BiezpiensBiezpiensFresh curd cheese eaten with sour cream, honey or new potatoes.BukstiņputraBukstiņputraBarley and potato porridge mashed with fried bacon and onionCold beet soupCold beet soupChilled pink kefir-beet soup with cucumber, egg, dill.Curd pancakesCurd pancakesFried quark patties with jam and sour cream.DebessmannaDebessmannaCranberry semolina whipped until pale and airy, served with milk.Grey peas with baconGrey peas with baconMarbled grey peas stewed with smoked bacon and onion; national dish.Jāņu alusJāņu alusHome-brewed barley beer drunk through the midsummer Jāņi nightJāņu siersJāņu siersCaraway-flecked curd cheese wheel for Midsummer Jāņi.KarbonādeKarbonādePork loin beaten thin, breaded and fried, served with potatoesKarstvīnsKarstvīnsMulled red wine with honey and spices, sold from market hutsĶiploku grauzdiņiĶiploku grauzdiņiFried strips of dark rye bread rubbed with garlic, served with cheese sauce.ĶīselisĶīselisBerry or rhubarb juice thickened with starch, eaten with milkKliņģerisKliņģerisLarge saffron and raisin pretzel-shaped sweet bread carried in for birthdaysKvassKvassFermented rye bread drink once sold from street tanks.Maizes zupaMaizes zupaSweet rye-bread soup with dried fruits, whipped cream.Marinētas sēnesMarinētas sēnesBoletus and chanterelles preserved in vinegar with onion and pepperNēģiNēģiGrilled lamprey served cold in jelly or hot with bread.PiparkūkasPiparkūkasVery thin snapping spiced biscuits baked all through AdventPīrāgiPīrāgiCrescent yeast buns stuffed with smoked bacon and onion.Potato pancakesPotato pancakesCrisp grated-potato pancakes with sour cream.PutraimdesaPutraimdesaBarley groat and blood sausage fried and served with lingonberryRasolsRasolsFestive potato salad with herring or sausage, sour cream.Riga Black BalsamRiga Black BalsamInky bitter herbal liqueur in ceramic bottles since 1752.Riga spratsRiga spratsGolden oil-packed smoked sprats on buttered bread.RūgušpiensRūgušpiensNaturally soured milk drunk cold with boiled potatoes and herringRupjmaizes kārtojumsRupjmaizes kārtojumsLayers of toasted rye crumbs, cranberry jam and whipped cream in a glass.Rye breadRye breadDark sour rye loaf, the revered daily staple.Silķe kažokāSilķe kažokāLayered salad of herring under beetroot, potato and mayonnaise.Skābēti gurķiSkābēti gurķiCucumbers soured in brine with dill, blackcurrant and oak leavesSkābēti kāpostiSkābēti kāpostiBarrel-fermented sauerkraut eaten cold or stewed with pork.SkābputraSkābputraSoured barley porridge thinned with milk, eaten cold in summer.SklandrausisSklandrausisSweet rye tartlet of carrot and potato, Courland heritage.

  • Aukstā gaļa

    Jellied pork set in its own broth, sliced and eaten with mustard. Ready in 45 min prep and 4 hours…

  • Biezpiens

    Fresh curd cheese eaten with sour cream, honey or new potatoes. Ready in 15 min prep and 20 min cooking.…

  • Bukstiņputra

    Barley and potato porridge mashed with fried bacon and onion. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 1 hour 15 minutes…

  • Cold beet soup

    Chilled pink kefir-beet soup with cucumber, egg, dill. Ready in 25 min prep and 40 min cooking. 6 servings. A…

  • Curd pancakes

    Fried quark patties with jam and sour cream. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 20 minutes cooking. Makes about 16.…

  • Debessmanna

    Cranberry semolina whipped until pale and airy, served with milk. Ready in 15 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking. Serves…

  • Jāņu alus

    Home-brewed barley beer drunk through the midsummer Jāņi night. A wine & spirit recipe from Latvia.

  • Karbonāde

    Pork loin beaten thin, breaded and fried, served with potatoes. Ready in 25 minutes prep and 20 minutes cooking. Serves…

  • Karstvīns

    Mulled red wine with honey and spices, sold from market huts. Ready in 10 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking.…

  • Ķīselis

    Berry or rhubarb juice thickened with starch, eaten with milk. Ready in 10 min prep and 20 min cooking. 6…