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
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
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 you know this was my first time making apple pie filling for winter storage. Please read more here:Hello everyone! If you caught my previous post, you know I had an apple-filled adventure after a friend’s birthday party—coming home with a staggering 15 kilos of apples! (You can read all about that experience here.) It … More First Try: Apple Pie Filling for Winter (Without Clear Jel)
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
I’m sharing this recipe mostly for myself—to remember how to make pickles the way my mom taught me. After all these years, I finally got around to trying it out, and I have to say, I’m pretty proud of the results! I’m not exactly sure how many cucumbers I ended up pickling, but I managed … More My First Pickling Adventure: Mom’s Classic Pickles
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
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
In Latvian “plānās pankūkas” (thin pancakes) but most of the people know it as Crêpe. These are my favorite pancakes. I remember how mom used to bake them… rarely (maybe once a month, or so)! If she baked them every week it won’t be special! So, this morning I got up at 6am because of Helmī. … More Crêpe or Thin Pancakes
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 