These Belarusian fried pirozhki are a true family treasure. In our home, Mom always made a huge batch, because once they hit the table, it was almost impossible to stop eating them. Dad used to say they were so delicious that you’d reach for “just one more” again and again. They weren’t an everyday meal — making them takes time, patience, and care — but Mom made them often enough for the smell of frying dough and savory meat to become one of the most comforting memories of our kitchen.

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup." - Ludwig van Beethove

"The most delicious fried potato is when you eat potatoes with your hands from the pan while no one is watching..."

You can use any meat for these patties. I prefer a mixture of beef, pork and veal in a 1:1:1 ratio.

This elegant chocolate pancake roll combines thin cocoa crêpes with a creamy filling, tender prunes, and a rich chocolate ganache. The roll is chilled until firm, then covered with chocolate and finished with chopped nuts. It is a beautiful make-ahead dessert—the layers become even more flavorful and easier to slice after several hours in the refrigerator.