MAIN INGREDIENTS
Aukstā zupa is a refreshing Latvian cold soup with an unusual, deep pink color. It is made with beets, cucumbers, kefir, hard-boiled eggs, and milk sausage. Greens such as dill and scallions are essential, and most people also enjoy the soup with a dash of vinegar.
All of the ingredients are mixed together, seasoned with salt and pepper, and the soup is then left in the refrigerator until well-chilled. It's recommended to serve the soup with a few slices of dark bread on the side. Aukstā zupa is a seasonal dish, so it's practically impossible to find it in restaurants during winter, but most places have the soup on their menus in summer.
MOST ICONIC Aukstā zupa
Rupjmaize is a traditional bread consisting of whole-grain rye, baked in a hearth oven and shaped into an elongated loaf. It has a unique flavor that is both sour and sweet. The bread pairs well with smoked fish, cold cuts, and strong, pungent cheeses such as Roquefort.
MOST ICONIC Rupjmaize
Originating in Latvia, karbonāde is the country’s beloved take on the world-famous Wiener schnitzel. This meat specialty is typically made with a thinly pounded pork cutlet that is coated in a combination of flour, beaten eggs, and (sometimes) breadcrumbs before it is fried to perfection.
A savory chanterelle mushroom sauce is usually spooned over the finished pork schnitzel before serving, while sides such as boiled potatoes with dill, french fries, cabbage salad, pickled vegetables, and slices of rye bread often accompany the whole dish.
MOST ICONIC Karbonāde
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Ķiploku grauzdiņi is a traditional snack and the Latvian version of garlic bread. In order to prepare it, rupjmaize rye bread is cut into slices, then pan-fried in butter or oil on both sides for a few minutes. The slices are removed from the pan, drained on paper towels, then rubbed with garlic cloves on both sides. Ķiploku grauzdiņi can also be baked in the oven, and the slices are then just drizzled with oil or smeared with butter.
Before serving, this Latvian garlic bread is sprinkled with salt. It's recommended to serve it with a glass of cold beer on the side.