NATIONAL DISH OF BELARUS - Draniki
Potato Pancakes come in many forms. Latkes, Fritters, and of course Draniki. And even Draniki recipes are variable. So many potatoes, so many different ways.
This traditional dish can be found throughout this area of Europe, mainly due to readily available ingredients that are inexpensive. Well since Belorussians are renowned for their hearty vegetables I wouldn't expect anything else for their national dish to include the nourishing potato.
Enjoy, or as they say in Belarus, Смачна есьці! (Smachna yesci)
For a traditional Draniki recipe, look no further than here:
http://www.belarusianfood.com/2009/05/draniki.html
Difficulty: 5
Appearance: 2
Taste: 3
TOTAL: 10
Well this has certainly been one of the easiest recipes so far. With very few ingredients (that are probably in most pantries, and if not easily attainable) and not a lot of cooking time needed, Draniki would make for an excellent entree or appetizer.
The appearance during the process was a little disconcerting. The potato mixture was oxidising due to my very slow grating skills (note to self - don't watch Junior Masterchef whilst cooking, majority of times it will only end in tears of inferiority!) However, once they were all cooked and garnished, they looked very appealing.
Now ordinarily I'm not the biggest fan of potato. This may result from the traumatic events of childhood of when trying to grow anything in our veggie patch, it was always taken over by tyrannical potatoes! Or it may be simply I don't like the taste. Whatever the reason it may have biased my opinion. I didn't hate Draniki by any means, I just wouldn't throw it a parade. It was a little bland and probably needed some good herbs thrown into the mix for extra flavour. On the flip side I am equally biased about it's serving side buddy. Mmmm sour cream......one of man's ingenious inventions! Everything should come with a side of sour cream! I saw on the net someone suggested to try it with applesauce, so next time I shall.
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