They say that to understand and feel the local culture by tasting the local cuisine.
Belarusian national food is nutritious and creamy. The food of rural population is quire simple while Belarusian aristocratic cuisine is really exquisite and may surprise the experienced gourmets. You will find a wide choice of typically Belarusian dishes in the restaurants and here are some main and most popular ones.
Let's start with soup: there are many various types but if you want to try something typically local try cold soup, made of beetroots, sorrel and even nettle. Such soups usually contain cucumbers, radish, dill, green onions, boiled eggs, salt and sugar and can be served with sour cream or "kefir".
It is impossible to imagine Belarusian cuisine without classic potato pancakes "Draniki".
They are made of grated potato, flour and salt. Then it goes to the frying pan and is served with sour cream, mushrooms or a side dish to the meat sauce - "machanka".
Potato casserole is called "Babka" and may contain onions or pork.
Main course is presented by dishes that usually contain meat, meat sauce and potatoes or vegetables.
"Verashchaka" is a type of "machanka" that is made of meat (lamb/pork/veal/chicken), fired with onions and then stewed with rich sauce of the name meat and water. It should be served with mashed potatoes, pancakes or potato pancakes. Very often they add cheese and mushrooms likewise.
When it comes for dessert there are also surprises. "Kulaga" is a kind of sweet viscous drink resealing thin jelly and made of berries: raspberries, cranberries, blueberries with addition of honey, sugar and wheat flour.
Also there are hundreds of variations with sweet pancakes with jam, honey or cottage cheese.
Local drinks?
Here you go! There is "Sbiten", made of water. honey, cloves, bay leaf, nutmeg and may be served cold or hot. This soft drink quenches thirst and complete your lunch. Some recipes suggest adding alcohol into "Sbiten".
As for hard drinks like schnapps in Germany, whisky in Britain in Belarus there is "Krambambulia". This Belarusian brand drink contains high quality moonshine with homey, cinnamon, red and black pepper, nutmeg and clove boiled all together and filtrered.
Enjoy your meal!
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