Central European Porridges

Ajdovi žganci is the national dish of Slovenia, consisting of buckwheat flour and water. The word žganci is derived from žgati, meaning to burn. Originally, the dish was a basic meal for most people, a breakfast used to ... READ MORE

Ajdova kaša is a traditional dish originating from Slovenia. Although there are many variations, it's usually made with a combination of buckwheat, vegetable stock, onions, garlic, mushrooms, bay leaves, fat, parsley, salt, and pepper. The ... READ MORE

Riebel is a traditional dish originating from Vorarlberg. The porridge is made with a combination of cornmeal, milk, butter, and salt. The combination is left to simmer on the stove for a long time until it swells significantly. It is then fried i... READ MORE

Stip is a popular Dutch buckwheat porridge with a hole in the middle. The hole is traditionally filled with fried bits of bacon and syrup. The porridge is usually consumed by taking a piece of the porridge from the outside and dipping it into the ... READ MORE

Sterz is a traditional peasant dish that consists of simple, everyday ingredients, typically a combination of flour, fat, water, and salt. It is mostly associated with the Austrian regions of Burgenland and Styria, although different varieties of ... READ MORE

The authentic Ticino polenta should be cooked on an outdoor fire (or in a fireplace), but sadly, the practice is not common anymore. However, there are a few restaurants in the region that offer this traditional dish, prepared in the most authenti... READ MORE

A very old and traditional Polish dish called kasza gryczana ze skwarkami is a buckwheat porridge topped with cracklings. It consists of buckwheat groats cooked in salted boiling water, which are combined with fried bits of bacon, and sometimes fr... READ MORE

Steirischer heidensterz is a traditional rural dish made with buckwheat flour. Believed to have originated in the 15th century in the Austrian state of Styria, it is made by quickly pouring the buckwheat flour into boiling water with a pinch of sa... READ MORE

This hearty porridge is traditionally prepared with a combination of sour turnip, millet, and pork bones that have some meat and fat on them such as pork head, skin, or neck cuts. The dish is usually seasoned with zaseka - a preserve or a... READ MORE

Bryjka is a traditional dish that encompasses a number of dishes based on flour that is cooked in boiling water and typically served with some melted fat or butter in the center. Other ingredients are added to the porridge-like mixture to make it ... READ MORE

Hajdina kaša or heljdina kaša is a traditional dish that’s especially popular in the regions of Zagorje and Međimurje. Although there are many recipes, this porridge is usually made with a combination of buckwheat, onions, salt... READ MORE

Broodpap is a sweet Dutch bread porridge made with pieces of old or stale bread, butter, sugar, and milk. The combination of those ingredients is boiled over a low heat until it thickens, and the porridge is then left to cool. Some cooks like to e... READ MORE

Consumed either cold or warm, krentjebrij is a delicious Dutch porridge or a thick soup based on fresh berries as its key ingredient. Apart from the berries, it consists of pearl barley, raisins, currants, lemon peel, and sugar. It is recommended ... READ MORE

Karnemelksepap is a Dutch porridge made with buttermilk, flour, and salt. The mixture is boiled until slightly thick and creamy, and it is then often flavored with brown sugar, stroop, or molasses. The dish has a sour, tart flavor, but it... READ MORE

Loška medla is a traditional dish originating from the town of Škofja Loka. This porridge is usually made with a combination of millet groats, wheat or buckwheat flour, pork fat, smoked pork ribs, water, bacon, and salt. In order to ... READ MORE

Bijeli žganci is a traditional dish from Croatia, particularly popular in the country's northern regions. It is made with a mixture of cooked potatoes and wheat flour seasoned only with salt and cooked until done and homogenous. The cooking of bij... READ MORE

Grutjespap is a Dutch porridge made with buckwheat, milk, and salt. The combination of those ingredients is boiled until it thickens, and grutjespap is ready to be served, preferably warm and with a bit of stroop on the side to make it sweeter.READ MORE

Bohinjski žganci is a traditional dish originating from Bohinj. This polenta-like dish is made from coarsely ground autochtonous Bohinjka/Trdinka flint corn, characterized by dark reddish kernels. The roughly milled corn flour is cooked i... READ MORE

Torkarebl is a traditional dish that involves cooking cornflour with milk, water, and salt. This specialty lies somewhere between a porridge and a dumpling, and after it’s been boiled, the combination is typically fried in butter. Torkarebl ... READ MORE