A love letter to the food of her childhood, acclaimed writer Polina Chesnakova shares 100 vibrant regional recipes from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Born in Ukraine to Russian and Armenian parents from Georgia, Polina Chesnakova grew up cooking and eating at the hip of her mother and aunts. Chesnok paints a warm portrait of the Soviet diaspora through food, with dishes that will be nostalgic and familiar for those within the diaspora and enticing to anyone looking to expand their palate and pantry.
From Georgian Tkemali (sour plum sauce), Uzbek and Azeri Plovs, and Armenian Gata (butter pastry) to Ukrainian Varenyky (dumplings), Russian Olivier Salad, and Medovik (honey cake), Chesnok is your invitation to learn the rich history of a people through their most cherished recipes and traditions. Essays, stories, and profiles of the amazing cooks in Polina's life are peppered amongst recipes as diverse as the communities from which they blossomed and the immigrant experience they were subsequently passed down in.
100 Vibrant Regional Recipes: From Georgian tkemali and Uzbek plov to Ukrainian varenyky and Russian medovik, journey through the diverse culinary traditions of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia in one stunning collection
More Than a Cookbook: Essays and stories of the remarkable home cooks in Polina's life are woven throughout, offering rich cultural context alongside recipes
For Every Kitchen: Whether you're reconnecting with the flavors of your childhood or discovering them for the first time, this book welcomes you in
A Feast for the Eyes: Stunning full-color photography brings each of the 100 regional recipes to life