2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. COLD BEET SOUP
RECIPE
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
8. POT ROAST WITH VEGETABLES
As 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.
9. 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.
10. RYE BREAD SOUP
The 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).
11. PEPPER COOKIES
RECIPE
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
12. 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.
