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

BEAN-SAUSAGE-TARRAGON: All of a sudden the weather

BEAN-SAUSAGE-TARRAGON: All of a sudden the weather has turned and a #stew seems appealing. This one contains lovely #sausages @pipersfarm , fasola Jaś (similar to butter beans but not quite), tarragon and tinned tomatoes. On the side @irina.r.georgescu #polenta #mamaliga from the beautiful #carpathia cookbook #comfortfood
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#lunchtoday #comfortfoodeats #onepotmeal #yummyfood #shecooks #eataroundtheworld #homecooking

SEMOLINA PORRIDGE: My favourite kasza manna took o

SEMOLINA PORRIDGE: My favourite kasza manna took on a new dimension this morning with @themodernpreserver fragrant elderflower and strawberry jelly (check out her new book!). This is my entry for @piastromexicankitchen #forgottenrecipescookbookclub which is all about heritage this month #semolina
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#kaszamanna #breakfastbowl #breakfastideas #śniadanie #breakfastideas #breakfastlover #beautifulcuisines #lovetocook #pycha

VILNIUS THROWBACK: Ironically, “freedom day” w

VILNIUS THROWBACK: Ironically, “freedom day” was the start of our isolation. We are all fine but emotionally, I’ve been swinging between acceptance and frustration, appreciation and irritability… lovely to throwback to one of my favourite cities #Vilnius then, where our magical journey through the Baltics ended (and began many years ago) #throwbackthursday
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#govilnius #vilniusgram #wilno #baltictrend #travelgram #beautifuldestinations #throwbackthursdays #traveldeeper #travelpics

LUNCH TODAY: We are isolating at the moment, so th

LUNCH TODAY: We are isolating at the moment, so the delivery from @pipersfarm could not have come at a better time (and in wonderful, recyclable packaging that smells if the farm too)! Immediately, I started cooking up the #sausages and served them for #lunch with some caramelised onion and chanterelles (which were marinated but I washed and fried them regardless), potato salad and green slaw. The slaw is grated courgette, parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds with a tangy dressing involving my favourite Sarepska mustard #lunchtoday
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#sustainablemeat #lunchideas #onmyplate #whatscooking #shecooks #eatthisnext #lovetocook #smacznego #lunchinspo

CREATIVE PROCESS: This was an idea I had for the f

CREATIVE PROCESS: This was an idea I had for the front cover (and title) when Amber&Rye was being born. Some people cringe when they look back at their creative process, but I find it fascinating to trace the progression of an idea to its final conclusion. I’ve written a blog post about my entire #creativeprocess so please do go to the link in my bio if you’d like a read.
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#writingcommunity #foodwriter #createandcultivate #workinprogress #creativityfound #creativelifehappylife #writinginspiration

BARLEY PORRIDGE WITH SEASONAL GREENS: Some of my f

BARLEY PORRIDGE WITH SEASONAL GREENS: Some of my favourite meals from Amber&Rye are actually in the Salads&Sides section. This is a Latvian style #barley porridge, which I’ve made into a light, veggie dish (though with lots of butter and 🧀). Full recipe in #amberandrye #eattheworld
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#lunchideas #newcookbook #shecooks #balticfood #lightlunch #easyrecipes #easydinner #worldfood #lovetocook

MORE BALTICS: After travelling the Baltic States f

MORE BALTICS: After travelling the Baltic States for 5 weeks, we had way too many photographs to fit in a book! Even after #balticjune I still have some more I’d like to share, so #throwbackthursday is the perfect opportunity… here’s a marzipan backstreet in Tallinn, the facade of a baroque church in Vilnius, the castle on Saaremaa island in Estonia and the lovely, little town of Cesis in Latvia #throwbackthursdays
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#visitestonia #balticstates #tallinnoldtown #visitlatvia #vilnius #traveldeeper #travelpics

EASY 5-INGREDIENT CHŁODNIK: I feel that this cold

EASY 5-INGREDIENT CHŁODNIK: I feel that this cold, beetroot soup should be just as popular as gazpacho, so I’ve developed the simplest version yet! You just need: a large beetroot, 300ml kefir, a large bunch of radishes, a cucumber and a bunch of dill (then seasoning: salt, white pepper and lemon juice). Peel and dice the beetroot. Place in a medium pan, pour over about 800ml water and bring to the boil. Turn it down to a simmer snd cook for about 50min. Cover and allow to cool. Take out the beetroot and add the kefir. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour. Place your radishes and cucumber (cut into chunks) in a food processor snd blitz a few times. Add to the soup. Chop the dill and add that. Season very well with salt, white pepper and lemon juice #recipeoftheday
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#chłodnik #beetroot #buraki #summerrecipes #summersoup #pinkfood #souper #recipeshare #beets #foodinsta