Book: Amber and Rye: A Baltic food journey

In the Baltics, two worlds meet: the Baltic Sea joins Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Amber & Rye explores this area, guiding you around the capitals, sharing stories and discovering a dynamic, new style of cooking.

Pre-Order It Here

Book: Polska – New Polish Cooking

I call myself a “Storyteller Cook”, because everything I do is to do with cooking and telling stories through the medium of food. I want to inspire the world to cook and eat more Polish food.

I have written a cookbook “Polska” – a love letter to the country where I was born – that has been published in the UK, America, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland.

A Storyteller Cook

Zuza Zak

“Capturing the spirit of the nation”

The Independent

“The antidote to Brexit”

The Food Programme, BBC Radio 4

Featured Blog Posts

Where to eat in the Baltic States - My Top 10

Where to eat in the Baltic States - My Top 10

This was meant to be “my top 5” list but there are so many great places to eat all over the Baltic States right now that it turned into “my top 10”. This list is sort of in order of favourites…

My Top 3 Polish Christmas Recipes

My Top 3 Polish Christmas Recipes

Christmas is my favourite holiday of the year, and it’s not because I was born just a few days before the big day (and my daughter also) on Winter Solstice. Actually, as far as birthdays go, it’s not ideal. It gets hurried…

Spiced Pumpkin Pierogi

Spiced Pumpkin Pierogi

The time has come to reflect and review… this year has been all about home for me… and so many things in my life to be grateful for – my daughter, my family, my home, my friendships…

Social

1 MONTH TO PUBLICATION: You can pre-order Amber&Ry

1 MONTH TO PUBLICATION: You can pre-order Amber&Rye online now (link in bio) and be one of the first to get it! This is what a couple of readers who had a sneak peak thought of it... and the Baltic goodies giveaway is open until midnight (GMT) tonight #amberandrye
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#bursztyniżyto #preordernow #baltics #cookbookcollector #newcookbook #cookbooklove #roadlesstravelled #foodiegiveaway

RED VELVET KASZA MANNA: Well, this went down a tre

RED VELVET KASZA MANNA: Well, this went down a treat this morning - #semolinaporridge with beetroot powder and chocolate sprinkles. I love how the top layer has a skin on it, it’s my favourite part (whereas I abhor the skin on top of hot milk from kindergarten days) #ilovebreakfast
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#breakfastinspo #porridgepassion #kaszamanna #śniadanko #porridgelover #breakfastbowl #porridgebowl

BALTIC GOODIES GIVEAWAY: This is the final Baltic

BALTIC GOODIES GIVEAWAY: This is the final Baltic goodies giveaway, but I am planning other giveaways and fun stuff to celebrate the launch of my new cookbook soon... To enter please help spread the word about Amber&Rye. If you can think of anyone who might like this book - adventurers who prefer the road less travelled, those with Baltic heritage or cookbook lovers - then please tag them in the comments. One tag per comment please and each tag is an entry. A sage, Lithuanian linen apron @linentales , Latvian green cheese @siera_razotne and Estonian Kama @justkamaeu are up for grabs. I will post anywhere in the world and the competition will close on Thursday 13th May at midnight. Thank you 🙏🏼 (this is in no way affiliated with Instagram) #amberandrye
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#foodiesunite #newcookbook #balticfood #foodandtravel #cookbooks #giveaways #traveltoeat #konkurs #foodiesofinstagram #foodieheaven

HEMP BUTTER COOKIES AND ICE CREAM: It feels so won

HEMP BUTTER COOKIES AND ICE CREAM: It feels so wonderful seeing people again, sharing food, ideas and stories. A lovely, Sunday afternoon ended with hemp butter cookies (from #amberandrye ) and some delicious ice-cream made by @oliahercules and eaten as an open sandwich #sundayafternoons
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#hempseeds #sweettreats #dessertideas #sundaybaking #cookiestagram #cookies🍪 #ciastko #hempheals

SPRING GREENS FOR LUNCH: I had 3 bunches of spring

SPRING GREENS FOR LUNCH: I had 3 bunches of spring greens that desperately needed to be used up. I took off any yellow leaves and cut off the end bits, then placed them in a bowl and poured over some boiling water over them. I left them to wilt for a few minutes, drained them then covered them in cold water. I softened a chopped shallot in some rapeseed oil for a minute or two , then added 5 rashers of chopped bacon. While they fried, I shredded the spring green. I also chopped some left over, cooked new potatoes. Once the bacon and onion start getting a bit crispy, add the spring greens and new potatoes. Fry for about 5min, then season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Once you’re ready to eat, break the eggs into the bowl, cover and cook for 2min or so. Serve with spring onion on top (I also like to finish off with @siera_razotne green cheese and green Tabasco) #lunchtoday
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#springgreens #springfood #pychajedzonko #recipeshare #recipeoftheday #onepanmeal #easyrecipes #lunchinspo

VENISON AND KASHA: I just need to mention that dic

VENISON AND KASHA: I just need to mention that diced #venison is on sale at @farmdrop at the moment. It’s the healthiest meat you can eat apparently, so I made this stew with it, a few vegetables, prunes and even a bit of cacao. Served it with my favourite #kasha and soured cream. By the way, @farmdrop if you could start stocking kasha then I would be eternally grateful! #kaszagryczana
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#onmyplate #wildfoods #venisonstew #lovetocook #gotujebolubie #pysznieizdrowo

AMBER&RYE BOOK SIGNING: The time has come to sign

AMBER&RYE BOOK SIGNING: The time has come to sign and send these beauties out into the world! Gosh, what a magical journey this has been... And congratulations to @amanda.rose.ca for winning the latest Baltic goodies (and to @ellies90 and @mags_pix before). There is one more Baltic goodie giveaway to go, but hold tight for more competitions and fun stuff to celebrate the launch #amberandrye
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#newcookbook #cookbookstagram #balticfood #foodandtravel #cookbookstack #książkakucharska

SPELT ZACIERKI: Here are those zacierki in action

SPELT ZACIERKI: Here are those zacierki in action with meatballs, once you boil them, they need to go into a buttery dish and then in the oven with some meatballs and their juices. Plenty of salt and they are just delicious #😋😋
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#obiaddomowy #mojegotowanie #homemademeatballs #easydinner #cookingfromscratch