Recipe Stoemp

Blueberry pie recipe from the European Young Chef Award 2017 was created by Josi Polso, representing Kuopio – European Region of Gastronomy candidate 2020

There are many varieties of šljivovica (a distilled beverage made from plums) in Serbia. What is common is the scent of plums, a golden colour and the Central Serbia intoxicating power of a strong liquor. Less alcoholic, but no less tasty, is a drink prepared from šljivovica when the weather is cold. During winter, when a slava (the feast day of a family’s patron saint) is celebrated, the drink of choice is Šumadija tea or mulled plum brandy.

The cuisine of northern Slovakia is influenced by the harsh climatic conditions of the area, where it is usually intensively cold at least three months per year. This is one of the reasons why smoked meat, potatoes, sauerkraut, dairy products and pulses are typical for this cuisine. In Slovakia, the pulses belong to the oldest cultivated crops. The most famous dish, still popular of the Slovak kitchen, is the bean soup, which used to be part of the Christmas Eve dinner for many families.

Finnish eat a lot of bread and they consume it even 50kg/110lbs each, every year! One of the most popular and traditional breads in Finland is Rye Bread (Ruisleipä). There are many recipes for this dark bread and each part of Finland seems to have their own traditional way of making it. Here is one basic recipe for good and healthy fiber rich Finnish Rye Bread.