Book excerpt: Authentic Recipes for the Hearty, Comforting Foods of Ukraine Bring the warming, fresh and savory flavors of Ukraine and Eastern Europe into your kitchen. This beautiful and personal collection was born from Tatyana Nesteruk's authentic Ukrainian family recipes passed down through generations. From growing up in a close-knit Slavic community that gathered daily to celebrate food, Tatyana learned the art of honoring tradition while also making the recipes accessible for the modern home cook. Her simple instructions and treasure chest of time-honored dishes will have you flawlessly re-creating the food you love—or have yet to discover! Capturing the classic tastes of Eastern Europe is easy, thanks to Tatyana’s nifty cooking hacks, such as rinsing cottage cheese to quickly transform it into the beloved tvorog (farmer’s cheese). Dive into timeless recipes like Beef and Cheese Piroshki (hand pies), Smoked Salmon and Caviar Blini and Classic Beef Borscht. Whip up epic main dishes like Shashliki (Shish Kebabs), Plov (Beef and Garlic Rice Pilaf) and Potato Latkes with Chicken, and pair them with delicious sides like Mushroom Buckwheat and Olivier Potato Salad for a truly unbeatable spread. With desserts like Sweet Cherry Pierogi and Poppy Seed Roll, you’ll be transported back to the old world with each delicious bite. If you grew up eating this incredible cuisine, visited this part of the world and can’t stop dreaming of the food, or are trying these authentic dishes for the first time, the unique, comforting and nostalgic flavors packed into Tatyana’s recipes will send your taste buds on an unforgettable journey.