Mamushka: A Cookbook

Having spent half of my life in Eastern Europe, many of the recipes in this cookery book felt like a taste of home, while others offered delightful surprises. My favorite chapter was the one on bread, and I've made notes on two soup recipes, though I found some of the others too sour. I've saved several dessert recipes that are lower in sugar, a couple of dumpling recipes, two preserves recipes, and a few vegetable and salad dishes. I'm especially excited to try the Chicken liver, buckwheat, and crispy shallots recipe, as I'm always looking to expand my repertoire with more liver and buckwheat dishes. The idea of a blackberry sauce for savory dishes is intriguing, and I'm keen to try the strawberry and rhubarb syrup with my own reduced-sugar twist. This book offers a wealth of choices, including unique recipes like a dish made with watermelon peel and various interesting bread recipes. The photos are beautiful, and you can easily substitute the prevalent sunflower oil with a healthier option. Happy cooking!