Soup Masterclass - Red Barszcz

4.9
  (446 reviews)
|
Online class
|
2hr

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

What do I need to prepare before the class?
You will need to buy the ingredients and make sure you have the cooking utensils required.
How can I connect to the class?
Most classes will be held over Zoom. If you haven't already installed it, you can do so at https://zoom.us/download Before the class, it's a good idea to test your internet connection to make sure the video and sound quality is optimal. You can do this at https://zoom.us/test

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

4.9
  (446 reviews)
Craig
2 months ago
5

Absolutely amazing. Like hanging out at a friend's house if your friend was a great cook. Instructions were clear, the class was fun, and we will definitely be making pierogi at home.

Henryk
3 months ago
5

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master. Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and...

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master.

Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and grandkids, they also think we have made the most delicious pierogi ever.

Thank you Marta

Henryk
3 months ago
5

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master. Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and...

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master.

Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and grandkids, they also think we have made the most delicious pierogi ever.

Thank you Marta

Jakub
3 months ago
5

Fun, helpful and very dynamic; the food tasted amazing and it was a great experience to learn how to cook one of the most important dishes from Poland. Marta is a great teacher and takes care of everybody :)

Hannah
4 months ago
5

This experience was fantastic. Marta welcomed us into her home, she was an absolute pleasure to talk to and we successfully made/ate delicious pierogi! The challah bread and cheesecake were a lovely bonus. Our group of four strongly recommend this cooking class and cannot rate it highly enough. Than...

This experience was fantastic. Marta welcomed us into her home, she was an absolute pleasure to talk to and we successfully made/ate delicious pierogi! The challah bread and cheesecake were a lovely bonus. Our group of four strongly recommend this cooking class and cannot rate it highly enough. Thank you!

Natasha
4 months ago
5

We had such a great time! Periogis were delicious and conversation with Marta as well.

John
5 months ago
5

One of the highlights of our visit to Krackow. Marta was a wonderful host and teacher! I would definitely recommend her class to others.

John Schreiber

Westlake Village, CA

John
5 months ago
5

One of the highlights of our visit to Krackow. Marta was a wonderful host and teacher! I would definitely recommend her class to others.

John Schreiber

Westlake Village, CA

Sophia
5 months ago
5

The Pierogi Power Workshop with Marta was one of the best cooking experiences I've ever been to! Marta was extremely welcoming, very friendly and super knowledgeable when it came to the dishes we were making in her class. I'm so glad I was able to take this workshop, and I would recommend...

The Pierogi Power Workshop with Marta was one of the best cooking experiences I've ever been to! Marta was extremely welcoming, very friendly and super knowledgeable when it came to the dishes we were making in her class. I'm so glad I was able to take this workshop, and I would recommend this to anyone who is visiting Krakow!

Taj
5 months ago
5

Had an excellent time with Marta! Come hungry and reafy for a delicious meal more perogis than you can handle!

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