One whiff of fried carp and garlic sauce (mujdei) takes me back to the days I spent in Granny Victoria’s cozy kitchen. She passed away in 2012, but her recipes, especially this fried carp with garlic sauce (mujdei) and polenta (mamaliga), keep her spirit alive.
Month: January 2025
Easy Romanian No-Bake Drunken Cake – Granny’s Recipe
In the 80’s, Granny used to leave the drunken cake on the balcony to set. When I was little, in Bucharest, the temperatures during New Year’s Eve were often below freezing, so the balcony became our second refrigerator. I never had the patience to wait for it to set, so I would always poke it with my finger to see if it had firmed up enough.
Victoria’s Summer Salad with Plum Tomatoes – A Taste of Romanian Sunshine
…I’m transported back to summers spent with Granny Victoria on her cozy balcony. The fresh aroma of tomatoes and cucumbers, the tang of garlic, and the warmth of mămăligă filled the air as we shared simple yet hearty lunches. Gimilică, our cheeky budgie, always found his way onto my shoulder or my plate, sneaking bites of cheese and vegetables.
Juicy Whole Roasted Chicken with Vegetables – The Ultimate Recipe
I still remember the warmth of my Granny Victoria’s kitchen, where love was measured in tablespoons and time was marked by the crackling sound of the oven. Every Sunday, the scent of roasted chicken filled the house, mingling with stories of her youth and laughter that echoed through generations.
Easy Romanian Fish Roe Spread – My Granny’s Authentic Recipe
Granny had a way of making every dish feel special, but nothing could match the joy of making her famous carp fish roe spread. Granny trusted me with one of the most important tasks: mixing the carp fish roe. Using “lingura de lemn a familiei” – the oldest wooden spoon you have ever seen in your life passed down from her mother’s mother – I would mix by hand until my arm ached.
Romanian Cold Mushroom Salad – The Easiest Appetizer!
Cooking with Granny Victoria always meant embracing flavors, especially garlic. She never skimped on it, and I’ve carried that love into my own kitchen. Her recipes, passed down from her mother and her Aunt Tușa, were more than meals – they were traditions that connected generations.
Juicy Baked Chicken Breast Romanian Style (Piept de pui suculent la cuptor)
Granny Victoria was not only a wonderful mother, grandmother, friend and confidant, but also, my greatest teacher in the kitchen. She loved me like no one else and she showed me the beauty in simple things.