Soup Masterclass - Red Barszcz
2 great fermented beauties to cook from traditional Polish recipes - red barszcz (Borscht) and żurek - both sour soups common in Eastern Europe. Traditional barszcz is often made with a 'zakwas' or sour starter; sometimes people even chill this fermented starter and drink it, as you might with kombucha. However, if the soup is red, then the 'zakwas' was made with fermented beets (kwas buraków). If the barszcz is white, it was made with fermented rye flour or rye bread (żurek or kwas chlebowy). In our home, my granny always prepared zakwas and we ate borscht every week, usually with mashed potatoes and sour cream topped with dill and marjoram. On special occasions such as "Wigilia" (Polish Christmas Eve dinner) we would eat it with "uszka", delicate little pierogies bursting with dry porcini mushrooms - delicious!
White borscht, known as biały barszcz or żurek wielkanocny (Easter sour soup), is made from stock from white sausage, potatoes, sour cream, and hard-boiled eggs. White barszcz features a żur, similar to a kwas, but it's made by fermenting rye flour or bread with water in a jar for up to five days. During our classes we will learn how to prepare both red and white barszcz. There will be two meetings online. On one day I will explain how to make zakwas, than we will wait for a week and meet again to use this as the basis for our delicious soup.
Ingredients we'll be using
For the zakwas (sour starter)
- 2 kg peeled and cubed beetroot
- 5 cm horseradish root
- 5 cloves of garlic
- rock salt (teaspoon per litre of water)
- 3 litres water (ideally non chlorinated spring water)
For the barszcz (soup)
- 5 gr dried mushrooms
- 2 litres meat stock
- 2 kg beetroot
- 3 apples
- salt and pepper
- teaspoon sugar
- juice from 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 hard boiled egg
- 2 tablespoons marjoram
Utensils and equipment we'll be using
- a large pot (at least 5 litres)
- a tablespoon
- a kitchen knife to cut vegetables
- 2 litre glass jar
- small piece of gauze (15 x 15 cm)
- rubber band
Frequently asked questions
About Marta
For the last 5 years, I have been teaching people how to cook delicious food at my home, and I also run food workshops such as the Pierogi Power Workshop, Fermentation Workshop and more. Recently I was the host of a big food event for The Krakow Pierogi Festival and Harvest Festival. (I also appear regularly on TV and radio as a guest, discussing subjects related to home cooking, the sharing economy and food tech.) I’ve always enjoyed sharing my knowledge of my beautiful hometown, and more about the art of Polish cuisine, both through the website and with all the wonderful travellers I meet in person.
My grandmother and my mother were great cooks. That means delicious, home-made food freshly-prepared.
Restaurants are great, but sometimes it seems it would be better to enjoy a home-cooked meal with someone who can also tell me a bit more about their experiences, their lives and their cities. So, I’ve decided to do exactly that. I cook for up to 14 people at my home in Krakow and you’re invited. Please join me!
Reviews
Casey
My husband and I had the best time with Marta. I am half Polish and other than my paternal Polish Grandfather, nobody in my entire family cooked. Therefore they didn’t do a very good job of passing down recipes and techniques to me who loves cooking. Our class with Marta was like cooking with my sup...
My husband and I had the best time with Marta. I am half Polish and other than my paternal Polish Grandfather, nobody in my entire family cooked. Therefore they didn’t do a very good job of passing down recipes and techniques to me who loves cooking. Our class with Marta was like cooking with my super cool Polish aunt. She filled so many gaps between myself and my heritage that I can now pass down to any kids I have and that is priceless. She is the so kind, her apartment is so welcoming, and learning from her will forever be a highlight of my life. Thank you Marta!
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Kamila
The classes were excellent, the knowledge and ability to convey information were at the highest level. We had a great time and we ate delicious food! 😊
Samantha
Very enjoyable morning learning how to make pierogi with a skilled tutor. I would highly recommend.
Samantha
Very enjoyable morning learning how to make pierogi with a skilled tutor. I would highly recommend.
Katie
Marta was an incredible host & cook to our group. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the art of pierogi making!
Danielle
Marta was absolutely amazing! Had a great time and learnt something new!