Milk Street Television Season 5 Episode 18 Cooking of Ukraine

Christopher Kimball's Milk Street is a cooking show that takes a deep dive into the world of home cooking through culturally diverse recipes and techniques. Season 2, episode 18 is titled "Cooking of Ukraine" and showcases the unique and flavorful cuisine of Ukraine.

The episode begins with Kimball discussing his recent trip to Ukraine where he had the opportunity to sample some of the country's most authentic dishes. He references how Ukraine has been influenced by both European and Asian cultures, which has created a unique culinary identity that is both earthy and spicy.

The first recipe he demonstrates is a traditional Ukrainian beet soup called "borscht". Borscht is known for its rich, ruby coloring that comes from the beets used as the primary ingredient. Kimball explains that the key to making a great borscht is to roast the beets before cooking, as it enhances their natural sweetness.

Next up is a savory dish called "pyrizhky", which are small, dough-filled pies. Kimball fills the pirozhki with potatoes and sautéed onions, then fries them until crispy and golden brown. He also offers a creative twist on the classic pirozhki by filling them with a sweet and decadent mix of cherries and farmer's cheese.

Another featured recipe is "varenyky", a type of Ukrainian dumpling. Kimball shows viewers how to make the dumpling dough from scratch and then stuffs them with a unique mixture of sauerkraut and mushrooms. He also shares some helpful tips for shaping the dumplings, which can be tricky for beginners.

For the main course, Kimball makes "chicken Kiev", which is a dish made up of seasoned chicken breast that is rolled around cold butter, then breaded and fried until crispy. The result is a tender and juicy chicken breast with a rich, buttery center.

The final recipe of the episode is for a dessert called "medivnyk", which is a honey cake that is beloved in Ukraine. Kimball explains that the cake is made with honey that has been infused with spices, which gives it a warm and comforting flavor. He also demonstrates how to assemble and decorate the cake so that it looks as beautiful as it tastes.

Throughout the episode, Kimball highlights the cultural and historical significance of each dish while also providing helpful tips and techniques for cooking each one at home. From the earthy and spicy flavors of borscht to the sweet and satisfying medivnyk, viewers will get a thorough introduction to the diverse and delicious cuisine of Ukraine.