Before we jump into my obligatory ramble about the recipe, I would first of all like to wish you all an outstanding 2018. May you achieve everything you wish to achieve, finally live up to your New Year’s resolutions. May all of your dreams and intentions come true. And if they don’t? Well, any experience whether successful or unsuccessful, is worth learning from. You still have your entire life ahead of you. My 2017 was a year characterised by uncertainty and interminable ups and downs: I experienced some brilliant moments, many lows and had to make a few life-changing decisions. I learnt a lot not only about myself, but also the world around me and how I fit into it. Regardless of what it may be, I cannot wait for anything 2018 shall bring forth.
Anyway, as I am writing up this blog post I am totally dreaming of the celebratory meal we had last night. As you may or may not know, I grew up in Russia, and while Russian people do not celebrate Christmas, they have a strong New Year’s Eve tradition and much like Christmas it is a time for spending time with family, giving gifts, eating copious amounts of food (I am talking to the extent that at times, there isn’t enough room on the table for people to actually set down their plates). There is even a Russian Santa (‘Ded Moroz’), but he wears blue as opposed to red. And in general, food happens to be an enormous part of Russian culture: for example, if someone visits your home and you hadn’t prepared a three course meal for their arrival and brewed several cups worth of tea, you become the definition of impertinent.
Anyway, while my mum and I pour the bigger part of our efforts into Christmas, we still like to do something special on the 31st as homage to our ethical origins – most of the time, that is a big celebratory meal composed mostly of traditional Russian dishes. Yesterday’s feast gave me the perfect opportunity to try and veganise ‘pirozhki’, which always strike me with intense childhood nostalgia. If you’ve never heard of these before, Wikipedia describes them as ‘individual-sized baked or fried buns stuffed with a variety of fillings’ which, to me, sounds pretty accurate. They have a reputation for being quite unhealthy and often feature egg- or meat-based fillings, but just as with anything else, making this healthier, plantbased version should not be beyond anyone’s culinary competence.
Pirozhki are an ideal treat to keep in the fridge/freezer and reheat for a quick lunch, or serve alongside a big salad (a blog featuring another Russian classic is coming soon so stay tuned for that!).
If you are looking to experiment a bit more in the kitchen/go vegan/simply eat vegan meals with greater frequency in 2018, I would highly recommend trying these out. Plus, you will get a taste of a new cuisine if you have never tried Russian food before. Their versatility means that anything you have on hand can be used as filling. I have put together two potato-based ideas for you to try out, however feel free to switch them up as much as you’d like depending on your preferences (the proportion of potato to mushroom, for example – or eliminate the mushrooms completely as I understand they can be quite a controversial ingredient, lol).
Lots of love, Maria ♡
Thank you and Happy New Year to you ?
You are welcome! Happy new year ?
I wish you all the best in 2018 with many successes in every respect, especially health and peace for you and your family thanks to you again
OMG these look delish!!!
Thank you so much!! ?Xo
These sound super good, however I need a pronunciation guide!! ? hope you had a lovely New Year x
Haha thank you, and it’s pronounced almost how it’s spelled (pye-rozh-kee) ? Wishing you a happy new year as well! ❤️
Happy New Year Maria!
Thank you Laura! Same to you xo
These look amazing! Mushrooms are delicious. Happ New Year!
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Keri Elaine
Thank you! They really are ? And same to you xox
These look delicious!!
Thank you so much!
Of course! Xo
Interesting dish ✌✌
These look delicious!
So glad you think so!
This looks so delicious! Must try it out!??✨
Thank you! You definitely should ??
These look really delicious! It was interesting reading about how it differs in Russia. I like that you are showing how good vegan and plant-based food can be. xx
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you think so because showing the versatility and deliciousness of plantbased foods is always my aim 🙂 xxx
You always have the best recipes on blog. I need to try these soon, they seem incredible. xx
I am so happy to hear that! You should try them for sure, and I hope you like them if you do 🙂 xox
I’ve convinced myself I wanna be able to cook a variety of food when I move out so I’m deffo gonna try this, you’ve made it sound very easy 🙂
Yes diversifying our cooking skills is always so useful! Really hope you like them if you give them a go xox
Oh my goodness, I cannot wait to make these for my husband and I! I am oooh-ing and ahhh-ing over the beautiful photos and the recipe itself. They remind me of the Polish Pierogi. As always, I appreciate you sharing. Xx
Wow this is the loveliest comment! Thank you so much, and I hope you and your husband like them:) And they are very similar indeed, except for that Pierogi are boiled instead of baked/fried! xx
These look amazing! I’m so excited to make these!
Omg thank you very much! Glad you like them:)
This looks so good ?
Hiya girl, loved this post along with the nugget about Ded Moroz. I shall try this recipe when I get back home. Hope the year started on a fun note for you. xx
Haha it’s always so fun to remember how similar yet different the holiday season was in Russia :’) I hope you like them if you give them a go and I hope your year has been amazing so far too!! xox
It has 🙂 Holiday time in India so always full of mixed emotions. xx
It looks soooo yuuuumy!
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Thank you very much! <3
OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH THIS LOOKS SO GOOD, I’M MAKING THESE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!! (yes it is almost midnight here but that’s not gonna stop me! ) xx
Haha making Pirozhki at midnight sounds like the best idea 🙂 So glad you like them! xox
Wow, that looks and sounds delicious! Have a wonderful 2018!
Marije | thegfguide.com
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! xox
This looks delicious… so delicious I almost ate my screen.
Hahah I am always glad to hear that!! 🙂
Boy oh boy does this look tasty?
This looks sooo good! I have to try make it! ?
Omg thank you! You should try it out for sure:)
Wow these look really yummy and interesting!
Thank you! I’m so happy you like them 🙂
Great inspiration! Love this!
Thank you! Glad to hear that 🙂