Traditional recipes from Lithuania

Kugelis (Potato pudding) 

Ingredients

1/2 pound chopped bacon

1 large onion, chopped

5 large eggs, beaten

1 1/4 cups milk

1 can evaporated milk

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup flour

5 pounds peeled and grated (not shredded) red or white potatoes

Directions

1. In a large skillet, saute bacon and onion until lightly browned and

caramelized. Do not drain the fat. Set aside to cool.

2. Place oven shelf in middle and heat to 350 degrees. Coat a 13x9-inch pan

with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, evaporated milk,

salt and farina. Add bacon-onion mixture and drippings. Stir.

3. Using a food processor or by hand, finely grate potatoes, squeezing out

excess moisture. Work quickly so potatoes don't darken. Add to egg-bacon

mixture, combining well. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 1/2 hours

or until top is quite brown but interior is solid but still moist.

4. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before cutting into squares.

Leftovers can be browned in butter the next day.

Bon apetit!Lithuania

Roast duck fillet with caramelized apples, pears and honey flavored with cranberry sauce 

Ingredients

2 breasts of duck with skin

2 tbsp olive oil

paprika

salt and pepper

butter to grease the oven proof dish

250 ml red wine

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 180° C. Wash and dry the meat. Score the skin with a sharp

knife.

2. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and brown the meat. First fry the skin to a

golden colour and season with salt, pepper and paprika. Then turn the meat just

once. Crease an oven proof dish with the butter.

3. Place the meat in the oven proof dish, skin face up. Add the red wine and place

in the centre of the oven. Roast for approximately 10 minutes.

Caramelized Apples

Ingredients

60 ml butter

2 apples

12 ml brown sugar

Preparation

Melt butter in a frying pan.

Cut apples into halves.Brown apples in hot butter.

Add brown sugar and cook until it melts and turns a darker brown.

Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

1 cup fresh orange juice

1 tsp minced fresh ginger

1 tsp minced orange zest

1/4 tsp cinnamon

400 g fresh or frozen cranberries

1/2 cup honey

Informers: Rima Stongviliene and Renata Jankeciciene

Excerpts from 'Ethno treasure hunt – Book of traditional recipes”, published by Velzys Gymnasium, Panevezys, Lithuania, coordinated by Rima Stongvilene, with the collaboration of Georgi Ivanov, Bulgaria, Domenica Crupi, Italy, Joanna Wilczynska, Poland, Daniela Buda, Romania, Ozgur Boyaci, Turkey, 2011.