Instant Ukrainian – Ukrainian-Canadian recipes for the Instant Pot

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An Instant Pot Sviata Vecheria – Ukrainian Christmas Eve Menus

Christmas Eve is coming soon, as they say. I say it’s the most important Ukrainian food holiday of the year. Twelve dishes!

For any cook, Sviata vecheria is an overwhelming meal to make. But, a lot of the cooking time can be sped up using the Instant Pot with the recipes here on Instant Ukrainian. Plus, your vegetarian friends and family members rejoice.

There are a lot of options for making a traditional or more modern version of the Sviata vecheria meal.

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Easter Babka #CookForUkraine

“Why are you baking babka now?” my mom asked. It’s a few days into Lent so Lenten babka threw her. Babka is an Easter bread, and I wanted to bake it and post a recipe for #CookForUkraine.

There aren’t words that can describe the invasion of Ukraine. #CookForUkraine aims to increase awareness of the humanitarian crisis the world faces right now, as well as raise the funds needed to aid children & families in Ukraine who have been displaced by the current situation.

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How to make a remote 12-dish meal for Sviata Vecheria / Christmas Eve

In 2020, my family had a remote Sviata Vecheria. Everyone prepared food separately, and we traded food. Then, we enjoyed a video dinner with everyone together.

With health restrictions in some areas returning, I wanted to share how we prepared our dinner.

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Instant Pot Traditional Kapusta: sauerkraut and dried peas

Sauerkraut and peas, admittedly not my favourite dish for Sviata Vecheria, but the traditional recipe is far easier and faster to make in the Instant Pot. Made with dried green split peas, this Instant Pot version eliminates the overnight soaking time. Also, the cooking time is decreased, and you can make it ahead and reheat for your Sviata Vecheria.

Update: I’m honoured this recipe was featured in the Kyiv Independent’s article about Sviata Vecheria under Vegetables. The Kyiv Independent is a great source for English-language news about Ukraine.

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Instant Pot Canadian Maple Kutia

Here’s a Canadian interpretation of kutia [koo-tcha], also spelled kutya. Using a traditional recipe but adding some maple flavour, this kutya is really easy in the Instant Pot. Plus, it saves so much time when you’re busy getting other 11 dishes of your Christmas Eve dinner together.

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Instant Pot Marinated Beets

These marinated beets are very simple to make in the Instant Pot. They’re easy to make ahead (you kind of have to make them ahead to allow them to marinate), and they’re easy to serve as a colourful side dish in the winter. Also, a great addition to your table for Sviata Vecheria.

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Nalysnyky – Ukrainian crepes filled with cheese and dill

Nalysnyky or Налисники [nah-less-neh-keh] are absolutely my favourite Ukrainian dish. My mom calls them “nallies.” You can’t make it in the Instant Pot. So, this is the first non-pressure cooker recipe.

It’s worth the effort. These delicate crepes are filled with cheese and dill, smothered in cream and baked in the oven.

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Instant Pot Beets and Mushrooms with roasted garlic

These beets and mushrooms are a great side dish – or one of your twelve dishes for Sviata Vecheria. It works for summer as well as it does for Christmas. Bright and colourful. Make-ahead and served cold or at room temperature. It’s easy and no-fuss.

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Instant Pot Ukrainian Potato Soup

This is a recipe for a simple and easy potato soup. How is this potato soup more Ukrainian than regular potato soup? This comes from some variations on potato soup that were in my set of Ukrainian women’s cookbooks but also the memory of my baba’s creamy potato soup. Plus, this one has added Ukrainian-ness with cabbage and a cup of sour cream that makes it extra creamy.

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Summertime Morel and Mixed Mushrooms in Cream

With morel mushrooms in season, it’s time for this simple recipe – easier to make in a pan than in the Instant Pot because I’m using fresh mushrooms. For a dried mushroom recipe for winter, check out Instant Pot Pidpenky – Dried mushrooms with gravy. This side dish has cream with dill and green onions. Serve it with roasted meats, perohe or egg noodles.

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Instant Pot Creamy Beet Salad with dill and spring garlic

This is an easy salad and side dish for the spring and summer. Like many Ukrainian recipes, it has cream and then you add a bit more cream. It’s a rich salad with great garlic and beet flavours.

The Instant Pot speeds up the cooking time on your beets (or in my case, one giant beet). And, you can take advantage of spring garlic if you can find this special springtime treat.

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