There is a host of traditions and beliefs linked to Slovak Easter. Some are Christian with traces of Jewish mythology, others have pagan roots. It seems to me though that they all celebrate Easter as a spring festival that brings new life. The Slovak name for the Thursday before Easter is Zelený štvrtok, which literally translates … Continue reading Potato Kugel
This is another classic dish that seems to be rooted in our history and geographical position in Central Europe. Having been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867 to 1918 and sharing the southern border with Austria since then, we have borrowed a few cooking techniques and ideas from the Austrians as well. Our breaded pork … Continue reading Breaded Pork Steaks with Potato Salad
I re-discovered this classic dish while I was visiting the historical town of Banská Štiavnica a couple of weeks ago. It was a crisp winter day and I stopped for a hot meal in a small, family-run restaurant that served some of the long-forgotten Slovak delights. Kyslá zemiaková polievka or Sour Potato Soup was one … Continue reading Slovak Sour Potato Soup
This particular dish could also be called 'a resourceful cook's lunch' or 'a lazy shopper's creation'. It is usually prompted by a situation like this: You look in the fridge at eleven o'clock on Saturday morning with the intention to cook a hot lunch for three people. All you find is: 3 free range eggs … Continue reading Potato Gratin the Slovak Style
