kolaches

Haha, they look like eggs.

This was my first time trying to make kolaches, a Czech pastry. I have fond memories going to a Czech bakery with my parents to get kolache. They didn't quite come out like I remember them... These have apricot filling. Julie had made the Polish version before, which is called "kołacz", and is basically the same thing, just a different shape maybe; it seems ka-lotch-key is just a generic Slavic word for cake.

pierogies

I love making a mess in the kitchen! I really should take more pictures of that portion of cooking... This mess is the result of making pierogies. If you're unfamiliar with pierogies, just think of them as raviolis except in an Eastern European way. The outer shell is a simple flour, egg, water, and salt dough. The fillings that I chose were cheese & potato, mushroom & onion, and sauerkraut though there are many other options. To cook the pierogies, I boiled them for 3 minutes. Then I topped them with melted butter and sour cream. Then I devoured them.

Did I ever mention that I am supposed to work on a Vegetarian Eastern European recipe zine with some friends? I am. And then I don't. Hold me to it people!