Ultimate Gemuse Boulion

“In water, fish screw,” as folk wisdom says — so in vegan or plant-based cooking, there’s no place for water. Because that wouldn’t be vegan. Seriously, though: cooking soups, sauces, etc., using juice, oat milk, or broth instead of plain water lifts them to a whole new level. I developed this broth over several years, starting in … Read more

Where the Pâté Sets and Whither It Descends

The subject of pâté is fascinating — surely worthy of a treatise… That’s how it might begin. Imagine a cookbook penned by Czesław Miłosz. If “The Year of the Hunter” had a culinary appendix. What cuisine would he have described? Most likely Lithuanian, naturally — perhaps specifically the dishes from the manor in Šeteniai, where he grew up. A … Read more

Polish Plant Easter

The Easter Menu is part of my project “The Ritual Year,” dedicated to food and culinary customs connected to the traditional ceremonial yearly cycle. Designing a Christmas Eve menu has been great fun for me for years. Christmas Eve is a fasting meal, and a properly strict one, at least in the most orthodox version—meaning … Read more

Lentils, Sunflower Seeds, and Tomatoes

Continuing the kitchen inventory series: Lentils, sunflower seeds, and tomatoes. Still no onions, but when you live in the forest, going to the store is a whole expedition. INGREDIENTS:– 2 bell peppers of different colors (about 150–200 g)– 100 g sunflower seeds– 50 g red lentils– 30 g olive oil (3 tablespoons)– 30 g hoisin … Read more