Amber & Rye

‘A beautiful thing’- Giles Coren
 

Explore the new wave of Baltic food culture and its history, with storyteller and food writer Zuza Zak. Perfect for fans Olia Hercules, Alissa Timoshkina, Caroline Eden and Yasmin Khan.

In Amber & Rye, Zuza Zak sets off on her own odyssey, uncovering the culinary treasures to be found in a much-awaited exploration of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

Exploring an exciting part of Eastern Europe that has been for the most part left untouched, Zuza Zak guides us around the Baltic capitals Vilnius, Tallinn and Riga, sharing stories and discovering a dynamic, new style of cooking. Contextualized within the Baltics' rich history and culture, the food is a doorway to a deeper understanding of the region and what makes it tick.

Each of the delicious recipes explores new culinary horizons and are grounded in Baltic tradition, yet inspired by contemporary trends, making them modern, unique and easy to recreate at home. Expect poppy seed pastries and pillowy pumpkin buns for breakfast; baked trout with roasted buckwheat and Muhu lamb burgers for a main meal; crayfish salad and fried potatoes with kefir and summer vegetables for lunch; and rye bread and chocolate mousse for dessert. And, of course, there are wonderful, fermented recipes, from beetroot elixir and fermented red cabbage to pickled pumpkin and plum butter.

In addition to the recipes and travel stories, there are snippets of poetry, literature, songs and proverbs, which adds a rich layer to Amber & Rye, making it a cultural reference point for travellers as well as a showcase for the vibrant new cuisine of the Baltic States.