LATVIAN TRADITIONAL

CUISINE

OUR COUNTRY

Latvia is located near the Baltic Sea. The capital of Latvia, Riga, is the largest city in the Baltic States. The official language of Latvia is Latvian, and the second most spoken language is Russian.

LATVIAN FISH DISHES

Latvia is rich in lakes, rivers and coastal areas. Latvia has a coastline that extends for 500 kilometers. That’s why fish dishes have been served for centuries and there are many various fish dishes in Latvian cuisine.

LATVIAN SPRATS

In Latvia fish is a very popular dish and sprats count, too. Sprats are a type of small fish that lives in the Baltic Sea. Sprats are mainly eaten as a snack, but sometimes they can be added to the mixed salads. After sprats have been smoked at the fish factory their bones become much weaker and eatable, that is because of their size, which is similar to the size of an index finger.

LATVIAN PIRAGI

Latvian Piragi are very similar to the ham rolls or bacon buns. Piragi can be used as appetizers, as part of a light lunch or as part of a party table. Usually they are made from flour, milk, pork, onions, yeast, sugar, salt and eggs. This dish has always been prepared at Christmas.

SUMMER SOLSTICE CHEESE(CARAWAY SEEDS CHEESE)

Today the most popular festival in Latvia is Jāņi (the Summer Solstice Eve) and the main Jāņi treats are cheese and beer, which can be found on every Jāņi festive table.

It is usually made from dry cottage cheese, milk, sour cream, eggs, butter, salt and caraway seeds. The ways how to prepare the summer solstice cheese dates back hundreds of years.

COLD BEET SOUP

Beets, boiled or baked, grated - 1 large or 2 small pieces

Cucumbers, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes - 2 small pieces

Eggs, boiled, chopped – 4

Dill, finely chopped - 4 tablespoons or more to taste

Green onion, chopped (optional)

Radishes, chopped - 5 (optional)

Salt

Kefir - 700 ml or more if you'd like a thinner soup

RECIPE

POT ROAST WITH VEGETABLESAs many other dishes in Latvia, this dish is very versatile, which means it can be prepared to your taste. You can add pork, any vegetables, potatoes, a little bit of seasoning and you get hot, delicious and healthy meal from an oven.

GREY PEAS WITH BACON

Grey Peas with Bacon, perhaps, is the most traditional Latvian hot dish. It can be served as a snack with beer, or as a main course. If you would like to try the traditional Latvian cuisine during your visit, this course must be on your list.

RYE BREAD SOUPThe Rye Bread Soup is one of the most popular desserts in Latvia. It is simply made from rye breadcrumbs, water, sugar, dried fruit (apples, apricots, prunes), cinnamon and whipped cream (made from cream, sugar and vanilla).

PEPPER COOKIES

400g Plain flour

180g Brown sugar

190g Low fat butter

1 tsp Cinnamon

3 tsp Ginger powder

2 tbsp Ginger syrup

1 Black clove, crushed

¼ tsp Nutmeg powder

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 tsp Soda

1 ½ Baking powder

1 tbsp Treacle

2 Eggs, beaten

2 Serving spoons of honey

RECIPE

HERBAL TEA

Gathering herbs is popular in Latvia, but it requires knowledge on the kinds of herbs which can be made into healthy teas, and it is also important to be aware of the best time for collecting them. This knowledge of herbal teas and their healing properties are usually passed on from one generation to another.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION! :)