Romania is a true cultural melting pot, rooted in Greek and Turkish traditions in the south, Hungarian and Saxon in the north and Slavic in the east and west. Carapathia, the first book from food stylist and cooking enthusiast Irina Georgescu, aims to introduce readers to Romania's bold, inventive and delicious cuisine. Bringing the country to life with stunning photography and recipes, it will take the reader on a culinary journey to the very heart of the Balkans, exploring it's history and landscape through it's traditions and food. From fragrant pilafs, sour borsch and hearty stews, to intricate and moreish desserts, this book celebrates the dishes from a culture living at the crossroads of eastern and western traditions.

Romanian cooking is, at its core, the most eclectic, varied, and complex cooking found in Eastern Europe because of its national history. The dishes are considered comfort foods because of their complex and savory character.

Here is a real taste of both Old World and modern Romanian culture in a unique book that combines more than 140 tasty traditional recipes with enchanting examples of Romania's folklore, humour, art, poetry, and proverbs. A wealth of archival material provides a glimpse into the 4,000-year-old history of the Romanian People and their Roman ancestry. This comprehensive and well-organised guide to Romanian cuisine contains recipes for many classic favourites including mamaliga, a polenta-style cornmeal, Eggplant Salad, Fish Zacuscz, Mititei Sausages (The Wee Ones), and Pan-fried Pork with Polenta. Savour the tastes of one of Europe's heartiest and most varied culinary traditions.

Discover the diverse range of Romanian home cooking in this volume featuring memories and family recipes passed down across generations. Romania’s landscape combines soaring mountains with the Danube River Delta—just as its history blends together Ancient Romans, Goths, Hungarians, Huns, Bulgarians, Tartars, and Turks. The Art of Romanian Cooking celebrates this rich heritage with a variety of dishes that make inventive use of commonly available ingredients. Thinking back on her mother’s and grandmother’s cooking, Galia Sperber was inspired to share some of the family's favorite recipes, paired with reminiscences of her native country and family meals. This volume features appetizers such as papanasi prajiti (savory fried cheese patties) or croquette din salam (salami croquettes); hearty soups ranging from creamy potato to the six variations of borscht; seafood dishes such as Russian-style trout; classic meat recipes for chicken, duck, veal, and beef; and irresistible dessert like the Othello torte and rose jam.

Discovering the flavor of the Balkans will delight all who appreciate authentic cuisine. The traditional recipes of Romania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia use ingredients that are readily available, and Balkan cooking relies on good vegetables, fish, chicken, lamb, and orchard fruits for tantalizing combinations that are aromatic, subtly spicy, and sure to please.