The scent of blooming meadows, bonfires waiting to be lit, flower crowns drying on the table, and songs quietly echoing from a speaker in the kitchen… It’s almost Jāņi, and we’re getting ready in the most traditional way we know. One of the first things on my list each year is Jāņu siers – that … More Latvian Midsummer Cheese
The weather is absolutely terrible today – cold, wet, windy, and grey. You know, the kind of day that feels like time has jumped backwards into late November. I kept looking out the window, hoping for at least a patch of sunlight, but nope… just drizzle and clouds all day long. Solstice? Sure – but … More Homemade Cinnamon-Roasted Almonds in 15 Minutes
If you missed my earlier post where I shared the recipe for Cottage Cheese Pie—one of my ultimate comfort foods tied to childhood memories and family celebrations—you can find it here: Cottage Cheese Pie Recipe. Today, I’d love to introduce you to another beloved Latvian treat that pairs perfectly with Cottage Cheese Pie: Ķīselis (Kissel). … More Childhood in a Bowl: Kissel – A Sweet and Fruity Tradition
In my previous post, I shared how cottage cheese pie is one of my ultimate comfort foods, tied to childhood memories and family celebrations. If you missed that, read it here: https://latvianmom.com/2025/01/14/kissel-and-cottage-cheese-pie-a-taste-of-childhood/ Now, I’d love to share a simple recipe to bring this delicious treat to your kitchen. This version is close to the one … More Cottage Cheese Pie Recipe: A Slice of Nostalgia
Advent here in Latvia is nothing without gingerbread cookies. The sweet, spicy aroma fills the house, making it feel like Christmas no matter what. The key to achieving those perfectly crisp and melting-in-your-mouth Latvian gingerbread cookies is the spice blend—without it, they’re just not the same. Everyone else used store-bought gingerbread spice mix, but not … More Grandmother’s 1940 Gingerbread Spice Mix
The Latvian Yellow Split Pea Purée holds a special place in the author’s heart, evoking memories of childhood comfort and warmth. Served with bacon and onion sauce or simply sautéed onions, this traditional dish is a cherished favorite. The recipe, accompanied by creative leftover ideas, offers a nostalgic and satisfying culinary experience. … More Latvian Yellow Split Pea Purée
As the autumn chill sets in, there’s nothing more comforting than wrapping your hands around a warm mug of spiced apple drink made from fresh, homegrown apples. This simple yet aromatic recipe has been a beloved tradition since I first shared it on my old blog in 2013, capturing the essence of the season with … More Cozy Up with a Warm Spiced Apple Drink
When the Latvian forests are full of mushrooms, I can’t resist heading out to forage for Russula, one of my absolute favorites. There’s no exact recipe for this—just a straightforward and delightful method that I follow. As the mushrooms cook slowly in butter (or oil), they release their rich, earthy flavors, capturing the essence of … More Comfort Food: Fried Russula from the Latvian Forest
In 2015, after a successful day of foraging, we crafted a soup that has since become a staple in our kitchen. It started with a basket of fresh chanterelle mushrooms, but instead of the usual creamy, indulgent soup, we decided to try something a bit different. The result? A unique, vegan-friendly Chanterelle and White Bean … More A Twist on old recipe: Chanterelle and White Bean Soup
Try my grandma’s soul-warming Summer Stew, featuring tender new potatoes, carrots, peas, and cabbage. Add some Latvian flair with fresh dill and sour cream. Enjoy the season’s best! … More The Joy of Home-Grown Vegetables & Grandma’s Summer Stew
Ah, pancakes. Where would we be without them? I fondly remember those summer days spent at Grandma’s house, where pancakes were a cherished evening treat. Back then, the routine was always the same. Before we could enjoy those golden, fluffy pancakes, we had to finish a hearty, savory meal. But that was never a real … More Healthy Mini Pancakes: A Perfect End (or Start) of Week
Today is the last day of May and the first day of summer! We started this day with butter coffee and walk to the manor to open the greenhouse. It was hot in there – like a sauna! I really enjoy the morning walk with girls (I ask if they want to come and if … More The last day of May and the first day of Summer!
Something I whipped up in the kitchen a few days ago. Chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach. I added spinach to have a color in my food, cause before it looked… too sad. I bought a cast iron wok pan a few years ago and didn’t use it until this dinner. Actually, it seems better than … More Juicy Chicken, Mushroom & Spinach Dinner
Let me share this easy & delicious tuna salad recipe that has been in my breakfast menu for a while now. Ilze
I can’t remember when was the last time I ate kale! I can’t get kale here in Gulbene! This bunch of Kale (actually 3 bunches) I got as a barter. Helped with photography work. There are two things I love to make: green smoothie or creamed greens. Since smoothies usually aren’t keto and I didn’t … More Creamed Greens: Kale (Keto, Low Carb)
Finally, I’m sharing a recipe! I can’t believe the last recipe I shared was: Perfect Rhubarb Custard Pie, In JUNE! With no further ado – here is the Perfect KETO Butter cookies 🙂 Ilze
Jodi! Compliments from my kitchen to yours! Your Rhubarb custard pie is delicious! It really is perfect! My family loved it so much that I had to ask neighbors for more rhubarbs :). Ilze
Latvian traditional Rye Bread dessert. Simple. Delicious. All you have to find is Rye bread crumbs or dark rye bread! Everything else is easy! Ilze
This recipe is inspired by fellow blogger Crunch Crunch Away and I still have wild mushrooms in my freezer! I like to stir-fry all the liquid out from mushrooms and then freeze them in small glass jars. This recipe requires 2 of my wild mushroom jars. Modified the recipe a bit according to my mood and taste buds, … More Cabbage and Mushroom Noodles
Finally, a bit better lettuce has arrived in our local store. Veggie – lettuce tortilla wraps for dinner! I like to make a veggie – lettuce mix in one bowl and dressing in another. So, when assembling tortillas, first spread the dressing and then add the veggie – lettuce mix. A friend of mine can’t … More Veggie – lettuce tortilla wraps
I heard these two words together a lot! Have you!? Artisan bread…well?! Is it the look of the bread or the process how you make it or even the maker, that makes bread an artisan bread!? This one for sure is homemade! Artisan bread?! Not sure 🙂 Ilze
Remember the post from yesterday!? Now here is the recipe I used to make Crêpes. This recipe is from my mom and is old as me so that is the reason why it’s in grams. Never converted to cups. Ilze
Savory breakfast – omelette with ham and cheese! Nelles favorite! Mine is Mushroom stuffed Omelette! Ilze
Thanks to our friend Aivar’s dad Aivars (Yes, they both are named Aivars) we have an opportunity to buy extra free range eggs! Also, we are lucky enough to have Janis Uncle that is also having free range chicken “farm” (about 10 chickens). Since Aivars (senior) started the “egg business” (I guess we are the only … More Mushroom Omelette
This is our comfort food! Childhood memories! Thursday – Friday nights at students dormitories kitchen. Why? Cause no money left for something else, good if you have oil and potatoes from home. So, this dish is the main cause, cause for others than Latvians it might look like a side dish :). So simple, that you … More Fried potatoes – Latvian style
Another breakfast idea from my heart & kitchen to yours! I had leftover tuna and half of the tomato from tortilla night, I don’t like throwing out food. So I build my breakfast around tuna and tomato :). Now, since girls are in the kindergarten and have balanced meals there (including breakfast) our morning gets lazy … More Tuna & Avocado CousCous salad
Tortilla night! I love it! And the reason for that is – it’s simple, tasty, healthiest “fast food” recipe I know and all my family members greet this dinner with happy faces and sparkle in the eye. I wonder is it hard to make tortilla at home?! Cause I’m buying tortillas and make the filling. … More Tortilla Tuna wraps
Yesterday I had enormous breakfast (don’t know why I thought 1 cup uncooked CousCous is OK for 2, it’s not)! There was too much couscous and since it was delicious, I ate it all! Yes, all that BIG breakfast portion of couscous :). I know that oats are better but I can’t eat oatmeal all the time. … More CousCous with Garlic dip for breakfast
If you follow my blog on daily bases you know I didn’t like Banana bread or banana “something” until I’ve tried banana muffins! The result was so Yummy that I decide to repeat that recipe and take it to the next level – for me, it’s a bit healthier version :). I loved the aftertaste … More Banana and Honey Muffins
She is only 3 years old (soon 4!) but she shows her interest in cooking! I’m happy to have such girl as a helper and who new maybe one day I won’t have to deal with cooking. Not like I don’t like it, sometimes it is just too much 🙂 So, here we were yesterday, staying … More Linna’s kitchen: Meatball soup (Frikadeļu zupa)
If you have leftover pumpkin puree you can make Omelette with pumpkin. It’s easy and requires fewer eggs than a regular omelet. Also, this omelette I like better than one made with fresh pumpkin. Love salty breakfast and Pumpkin Omelette isn’t exception :). Without further ado, recipe below! Ilze
I know the title as itself is a mouthful! You must try this healthy dessert! Yes, yes, no doubt it’s healthy after all the Christmas & New Years feasting… or is it just me. Without further ado, here is the recipe! (OK, take a look at glasses! This recipe is for five small glasses, not big … More Chocolate Pumpkin Mascarpone Mousse with Crunchy Oats and Raspberries
One of my favorite recipe that requires pumpkin puree is this – soft pumpkin cookies with dark chocolate. A few days ago I cut my last pumpkin. It’s huge and to be sure that I don’t have to through it away I need to cook something, that requires pumpkin or… imagine it will be good … More Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Dark Chocolate Drizzle
Maybe for someone, it’s cheesy cause I sneaked one and a half cup of pumpkin in it!? But – Yes, it’s cheesy (like there is cheese in it)! This recipe requires mozzarella, Parmesan, and even cream cheese 🙂 I wouldn’t dare to call it healthier, but someone may, cause there is no flour in cheese sauce … More Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Pasta
Never had banana bread or cake.. or muffins before! Everyone is jumping high and sharing success with banana bread and I was like “No way!”. I don’t like baked bananas… There is a recipe for baked bananas and add ice cream on top. Crazy! Not for me! My favorite pancake recipe includes mashed banana… there … More Banana muffins
Happy 3rd Advent to you all!! I believe this is the perfect recipe for gingerbread men cookies! It’s super easy to make and tastes better than store-bought, no doubt! So don’t just sit there… go and try this recipe! Latvian Gingerbread cookies should be very thin, that means your dough should be perfect to roll … More Gingerbread Men Cookies (recipe)
Advent in Latvia wouldn’t be the same without gingerbread cookies—crisp, flavorful, and melting in your mouth. And of course, no good Latvian gingerbread cookie is complete without the perfect spice mix! This spice mix recipe has been passed down from my grandmother, and though I’ve shared it before (on an old blog that no longer … More Spice mix for gingerbread cookies
OK. This is getting serious! Linna (only 3 years old) are willing to help in the kitchen! No just small jobs like adding water to a pot or just mixing salad… but bigger once like – making a salad! MAKING! Our favorite one is tuna salad (in winter)! We eat it on the toast and … More Linna’s kitchen: Tuna salad
Sometimes Janis brings such “terrible” thing as crab sticks… which doesn’t have crab in it at all! But… when he did, I’m happy to make a bowl of salad or eat it “terribly” unhealthy on bred with mayonnaise :). Don’t say anything… I know… I know 🙂 If you are interested in the recipe, here … More Crabstick salad with Chinese cabbage
Another breakfast simple savory breakfast food! This one even doesn’t need a recipe, but I will post it anyway. This is something my mom made for breakfast when bread got “hard”. We never wasted food (we can’t afford that!) and now I don’t waste food cause I thought well! That is how I grew up – … More Savoury Eggy Bread
This is my favorite winter breakfast recipe! I love how leek gives “spring taste” to the quark/cottage cheese. Simple & quick breakfast idea. If you ask me I prefer savory breakfast and it’s hard to find inspiration online. It feels like everyone else love sweet breakfast. Ilze
This is one of the traditional Latvian dishes for the autumn and winter season. It is traditional Latvian Christmas dish! I usually make gray peas more than needed and then heat them up on the next day but not on New Year’s Eve! On the New Year’s Eve, everyone has to eat peas in order not … More Grey Peas With Bacon & Onions
Yellow split pea stew is my favorite winter dish! This is a dish from a childhood except we didn’t eat it with ham… we ate it with lard. This is my luxury version that includes carrot and bell paper and onions are fried in oil together with ham. There is no need for the recipe I guess, but … More Yellow split peas with carrot and bell pepper
I guess there are hundreds of ways how to make a pumpkin soup! This is one of my favorites since it requires only one pot and when it comes to boil you are free (if you have good pot otherwise – stir occasionally). I think this is a super simple & delicious recipe. Ilze
Linna is a bigger help in the kitchen than Nelle. Nelle would love to live in the city but Linna dreams of walks in the woods, mushroom picking and bike rides. Linna is like me… so we baked together! This dish reminds me of my childhood in the kindergarten and school too. I loved Biezpiena sacepums … More Russian sweet cottage cheese bake
This recipe requires cooked barley. I like to cook a bigger pot of barley and keep it in the fridge when I’m feeling too lazy to cook. I love a simple Latvian kitchen that includes onions, salt & pepper. Ilze
HELP: What is the name of this dish?! Yesterday I shared a post about barley, that is wonderful for your health and is locally grown and cheap. I like this option when I’m feeling empty of ideas what to cook or too lazy to cook something that looks like in the restaurant! Barley is the … More Barley with Ham and Sour Cream
Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Benefits: Is packed with antioxidants Boosts metabolism and burns calories Detoxifies effectively and naturally Calms the mind and relaxes the body Is rich in fiber, chlorophyll, and vitamins Enhances mood and aids in concentration Provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium … More Matcha
Cake in just 20 minutes and without cooking!? Have you ever head of Anthill cake? No!? Probably you have another name for this cake or if you really ever heard of it, it time to try it! It easy and it’s delicious! Also, add whatever you like – nuts, raisins, natural jelly candy, etc. Here in Latvia, … More Anthill / Dulce de Leche cake
I love this super simple dinner. It comforts me! My mom uses to make this. I come from broken and poor family. Money always was a problem – cheap dinner options were welcomed. I won’t be surprised if you never ate something like this. But I love this simple food. It warms my heart and put … More Comfort food: Mashed Potatoes with Smoked Sausage Gravy
Did you know that cauliflower is much delicious in season and grown locally and organically? Yes, it is! I love cauliflowers only when they are in season. If they are imported from Poland or Spain they have a sharp and bitter taste. Not all in this family love cauliflower. I need to think about kids proof … More Cheesy Cauliflower Egg Bake
This year’s one of the biggest discoveries: Delicious Milk-Cap can be eaten right away after picking, don’t need to be preboiled and soak in water for few days! Nice! I was a bit afraid to taste it at first cause my family never ate Delicious Milk-cap fried. In our family, only mushrooms from the forest for … More Fried Delicious Milk-Cap
After googling I should call this cake Russian Honey Cake. Well… Let it be! Russian Honey Cake is one of my favorite cakes to make! It’s delicious, paper-thin layers with easy cream filling and the best part – you can bake it few days before assemble and assemble the day before the occasion. Also, the cream (a.k. frosting … More Delicious Honey Cake
One of my summer time favorite light and delicious lunch in 15 minutes (including those few minutes, I spend running to the garden to get zucchinis). One thing you should know about zucchini is that they keep cooking after you take them off the pan. Make sure you take the zucchini off the pan before you … More Pan Fried Zucchini Slices
Kombucha. If you never heard of such thing – Kombucha can be described as ‘fermented tea’. Since the first time I’ve tasted kombucha I was interested to brew my own kombucha at home. Main reason – to know what’s inside and to make my own different flavors. In order to make kombucha, you’ll need a kombucha mother, … More Kombucha
Cauliflower rice. It’s easy and tasty. Easy! Tasty! And even kids love this recipe! Well, what else you need? Healthy? Yes, it’s a cauliflower! Recipe of easy & tasty & kids friendly & healthy and quick cauliflower rice is below. I hope you will find the place for this recipe in your kitchen too. Since … More Cauliflower Rice with Pork Mince
Blueberries! I love them! We are eating them every day since the first ones showed up. Most popular recipes in our house right now are: Blueberry dessert with quark cream; Wide Blueberry & Spinach Smoothie We are eating blueberries fresh to get most of them but this time it’s time for tea and muffins! Girls … More Blueberry & Lemon muffins
It’s blueberry season here in Latvia and we’ve been eating loads of wild blueberries! We add blueberries to smoothies or eat them with quark/ricotta and whipped cream. Since it’s Sunday and we have visitors it’s time for cobbler. Perfect, easy to make and delicious wild blueberry cobbler. Recipe below. Ilze
“Cordial means a concentrated non-alcoholic fruit syrup that is diluted to taste and consumed as a non-carbonated soft drink.” I love the sweet sweet smell of meadowsweet. In our family, the Meadowsweet was collected for tea only. I made cordial few days ago and it’s all gone! So I have to make more for the winter. Cordial … More Meadowsweet Cordial / Syrup
I love smoothies and this one is in season right now :). I would love to say “local” but I love to add a banana for creaminess, so it’s automatically not local anymore. Ilze
While all my mind is on the renovation and painting simple recipes is all I’m making for my family. Pasta is most wanted food but beans with minced pork is another good option that everyone loves. We eat it with sour cream. Recipe below. Ilze
Blueberry dessert is a quick and easy recipe that is an absolute winner in our house since the wild blueberries are in the season! I call it healthy: blueberries itself is nutritious and quark cream is less in fat and calories than whip cream. Berries with whipped cream were my childhoods favorite dessert. We never thought … More Blueberry dessert with quark cream
A simple combination of fresh leafy greens, flavorful fruit, and a liquid base is all it takes to create a green smoothie. I call them healthy fast food! Smoothie is a natural energy booster, the phytonutrients in leafy greens boost your body’s immune system and keep it functioning properly. Ilze
My Mom used to make Pončiki when I was a little girl. Since the rain isn’t stopping here in Latvia decide to make Pončiki for my little girls. After a short call to my Mom and a half of hour, I had a full bowl of freshly fried Pončiki. Golden brown and delicious. Crunchy from the outside and fluffy … More Ponchiki (Quark Donuts)
These savory potato pancakes are from my brother’s girlfriend Ilona. Love them so much she backed them twice in two day time. If I ask more she will back again, I guess! I never ate such a tasty savory potato pancakes. I have to share the recipe. Wich is approximate! I have no need to bake … More Savory potato pancakes
Last 3 days I felt tired, sleepy and dreamy! This is that stage when you decide to take coffee (I usually don’t drink 2 cups per day) and after an hour realize that you left your coffee cup in the kitchen and it’s still half-full… Since we live here it happens every spring. I need greens! … More Stinging Nettle for Energy Boost
One day I realize that I can’t eat bread that has yeast in it. So now I have to bake my own bread and guess what, this bread is the most delicious seed bread that I have ever tasted. And it’s easy to make. You don’t have to knead it and don’t have to wait … More Yeast free quick pumpkin bread
We like savory breakfast better than sweet. Only Sundays are sweet thanks to pancakes. And even on Sundays, we start with bread and cheese or something savory and then ends up with delicious pancakes. Today we had veggie breakfast: cauliflower egg bake with cucumber salad. Ilze
This morning Janis called the parents if they can drive girls to kindergarten (they are living 800m from us and working in town, too, it’s not like they have to go completely different direction for us). Janis had to work till 3:30 am (this is what you get if you are in IT!). So… I opened … More One pot pasta with smoked sausages & cheese
Another tagine recipe from our kitchen is with minced pork. We are buying pork from local certified Organic farm Purmalas and cooking together with Latvian winter vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions. The same here I start this after a breakfast and it’s ready for lunch.
As you know I got my Tagine (I wanted for 3 years!) as a gift. A traditional Moroccan vegetable dish is cooked in Tagine but I wasn’t aiming for Moroccan style I wanted Tagine for slow cooking. With means: less liquid is needed overall and food cooks slowly until completely tender. And you also know that I … More Vegetable Tagine
I’ve had such a short time together with my Tagine… Why? I loved it so much! I cooked in it twice a week (sometimes 4 days straight) but today.. today it has ended. Ended cause my Helmī (1 y 5 m) simply get it down from the table where I left it. I left it … More Tagine / Tajine food
I love instant noodle meals. BUT. The lack of nutrients and high amounts of salt and saturated fat and several unhealthy ingredients keeps these meals away from my plate. Another issue for me is they are packaged in Styrofoam, which contains a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to interfere with how hormones … More Homemade Ramen with Mushrooms & Boiled Eggs
I’ve got half of pumpkin in my fridge this morning. I should make something out of it or it will be wasted. I wanted something satisfying and delicious but without sugar, so the pumpkin puree cookies wasn’t an option. So I made Pumpkin end Lentil cream soup without cream. There is no need to add … More Pumpkin & Lentil soup
This is something that I end up with a few days ago. This dish supposed to be a vegetable risotto… How I ended up with curried Bulgur Pilaf? I listened to myself. Took the carrots out of the fridge.. and onion from an onion basket… then rice…no.. this time I want bulgur.. ok.. how about chickpeas? … More Curried Bulgur Pilaf with chickpea & vegetables
Lentils. I know, I know.. there is more then one kind of lentils out there! Which ones am I using for the soup!? Red. Red!? Yes, red! I don’t know all those kinds of lentils. Lentils don’t grow here in Latvia and I’m not the expert of lentils. Just stick with colours! This recipe is … More Lentil and Tomato Soup
Maca. The first time I heard about Maca was few month ago.. Now I start my day with Mocachino and feel energised. I don’t need coffee anymore. OK, I’m not saying that I quit coffee. Just don’t feel I need it every morning and afternoon. Now I have another recipe. I found this one at … More Maca energy balls
This soup is something I made in late autumn 2016… When friend of us brought us 3 extra large pumpkins and said – I have more! Thank you, Aivars! Now I have few pumpkin recipes for my pumpkin haters to cook. Why am I saying haters? Let me explain… When Janis and I first started to live … More Pumpkin, Napa Cabbage and pasta soup
Macachino. So, what is Macachino (in my family!)? It’s a super drink I choose when I’m not in the mood for coffee… and it happens very often lately! I used to drink coffee two times per day. White american coffee (I didn’t know there is coffee and american coffee until I asked for coffee in Italia) … More Maca & Cacao drink or Macachino
This is my twist on a classic tomato sauce—perfect with vegan pasta, of course! It’s flavorful, simple to make, and always a hit at our dinner table. According to Wikipedia:“Tomato sauce is any of a very large number of sauces made primarily from tomatoes, usually to be served as part of a dish (rather than … More Homemade Tomato Sauce for Pasta
Wiki: Lavash (Armenian: լավաշ; Persian: لواش; Turkish: lavaş) is a soft, thin flat bread of Armenian origin, popular in the Caucasus, Iran, and Turkey. This recipe is super simple—only 5 ingredients plus Lavash! One bowl, fresh, guilt-free, and no extra salt added. You’ll either love it or not—let’s see… Serves: 2 Ingredients: Directions: Enjoy! Ilze
a day in the life of a latvian mom 