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Russia – A Culinary Tradition of Refreshing Summer DishesRussian cuisine is known for its hearty soups, comforting potato dishes, fresh vegetables and seasonal ingredients. During the warmer months, cold soups provide a refreshing alternative to traditional hot meals. Okroshka is particularly associated with Russian summer cooking and is often enjoyed at family gatherings, in countryside homes and during hot afternoons.
What Is Okroshka?Okroshka is a traditional Russian cold soup made with finely chopped vegetables, herbs and a chilled liquid base. Classic versions often contain kvass, a fermented beverage, or kefir, and may also include eggs or meat. My Via Veggie Vegan interpretation uses unsweetened soy yogurt instead, creating a thicker, creamy salad-style version with potatoes, cucumber, radishes, spring onions, fresh dill and lemon. It preserves the refreshing character of Okroshka while giving the dish a completely plant-based twist.
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Myanmar – Aromatic Curries and the Art of Si PyanMyanmar, also known as Burma, is a Southeast Asian country with a diverse culinary heritage shaped by regional traditions and neighbouring food cultures. Onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric and chili are important ingredients in many Burmese curries. A characteristic technique in several Burmese curry preparations is known as si pyan, often translated as "the oil returns". As the curry cooks and moisture evaporates, the seasoned oil becomes visible again, signalling that the sauce has reduced and its flavours have concentrated.
What Is Aloo Hin?Aloo Hin is a Burmese-style potato curry. The name combines aloo, meaning potato, with hin, a Burmese term for curry or a cooked dish. Traditional preparations vary, but potatoes are commonly cooked with aromatic ingredients and spices until tender and well coated in the sauce. My Via Veggie Vegan version takes a deliberately creative approach by replacing ordinary potato pieces with slow-baked Hasselback potatoes. Black mustard seeds, mustard oil, sesame oil, vegan fish sauce and a garnish of coriander, sesame seeds and fresh tomato complete this fully plant-based, Burmese-inspired interpretation.
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Sweden – Scandinavian Comfort Food and Culinary TraditionsSwedish cuisine is deeply influenced by the country's northern climate, agricultural heritage and long-standing traditions of home cooking. Potatoes, root vegetables, berries, fresh herbs and preserved ingredients have played an important role in everyday meals for generations. Swedish food culture is particularly known for its comforting dishes, balanced flavours and the tradition of husmanskost – simple, hearty home-style cooking. From cosy family kitchens to traditional restaurants, these dishes reflect Sweden's appreciation for satisfying meals made from familiar ingredients.
Köttbullar – Sweden's Famous MeatballsKöttbullar are among Sweden's most internationally recognised dishes. Traditionally made with minced meat, breadcrumbs, onion, milk or cream and warming spices, Swedish meatballs are commonly served with creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and sometimes pickled cucumber. Allspice is a particularly characteristic seasoning in many traditional recipes. This Via Veggie Vegan interpretation replaces the meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives while preserving the essential flavours and classic accompaniments. Homemade vegan meatballs, rich gravy, fluffy potatoes, sweet-tart lingonberries and fresh dill cucumber salad create a completely plant-based version of this beloved Swedish comfort food.
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Peru – A Culinary Treasure of the Andes and Pacific CoastPeruvian cuisine is one of South America's most diverse culinary traditions, shaped by the country's Andean heritage, Pacific coastline, Amazonian biodiversity and centuries of cultural exchange. Potatoes, corn, beans, quinoa and countless varieties of chili peppers have been essential ingredients for generations. Peru is particularly famous for its extraordinary potato diversity and its distinctive ají peppers, which give many traditional dishes their characteristic flavour, colour and heat.
What Is Seco de Frijoles y Papas?Seco is a traditional herb-rich stew enjoyed in Peru and Ecuador, commonly prepared with meat and flavoured with fresh coriander, onions, garlic and chili peppers. Despite its name, which literally means "dry", seco is known for its generous, aromatic sauce. My Via Veggie Vegan interpretation replaces the meat with creamy white giant beans, tender potatoes and green peas. Homemade yellow chili paste, fresh coriander and a splash of alcohol-free lager create a wonderfully fragrant base, while plant-based cream and nutritional yeast add a personal creamy twist. Served without the traditional white rice, this is a hearty, colourful and entirely plant-based interpretation of a Peruvian classic.
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Ukraine – A Culinary Heritage of Hospitality and ResilienceUkraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a rich agricultural heritage and a deeply rooted food culture. Fertile farmland, seasonal vegetables, grains and traditional preservation methods have shaped Ukrainian cooking for generations. Beetroot, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions and dill are familiar ingredients in many everyday dishes. Soups hold a particularly important place in Ukrainian cuisine, bringing families together around the table. Ukrainian borscht is much more than a recipe: it represents hospitality, family traditions and cultural identity. In 2022, UNESCO inscribed the culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, recognising the importance of protecting this living culinary tradition.
Ukrainian Borscht – A Beloved Beetroot Soup with Many VariationsBorscht is one of Ukraine's best-known traditional dishes. There is no single universal recipe: ingredients and preparation methods vary between regions, families and seasons. Many versions combine beetroot, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions and tomatoes in a flavourful broth. Some are prepared with meat, while others are vegetarian or suitable for periods of religious fasting. My Via Veggie Vegan version uses a rich vegetable broth instead of beef stock and finishes the soup with plant-based sour cream, fresh dill and garlic. The beetroot is gently sautéed with tomato paste and lemon juice before being added to the soup, helping to develop its earthy sweetness and beautiful red colour. Served with rustic rye bread, this is a comforting Ukrainian-inspired classic made entirely from plants.
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England – The Home of Fish and ChipsEngland is famous for its comforting pub food, seaside traditions and classic dishes enjoyed across generations. One of the country's best-known culinary symbols is fish and chips, traditionally consisting of battered fried fish served with thick-cut fried potatoes. The dish became especially popular during the nineteenth century, when fish-and-chip shops developed into an important part of British everyday food culture. Today, fish and chips remain closely associated with seaside holidays, takeaway meals and traditional British comfort food.
From Fish and Chips to Vegan Fish & CrispsTraditional British fish and chips usually features white fish such as cod or haddock, coated in batter and fried until golden. In this Via Veggie Vegan interpretation, firm tofu replaces the fish, while nori seaweed, lemon juice and soy sauce provide a savoury, sea-inspired flavour. Instead of a conventional batter-only coating, the tofu receives a crunchy breadcrumb crust. And here's the twist: British chips are thick-cut fries, whereas thin potato chips are called crisps. My accidental interpretation of the famous dish therefore became Vegan Fish & Crisps, served with homemade vegan remoulade.
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Cyprus – A Mediterranean Island with a Rich Culinary Heritage
Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean, famous for its beautiful coastline, mountainous landscapes and a cuisine shaped by centuries of Greek, Turkish and wider Mediterranean influences. Olive oil, potatoes, pulses, fresh herbs, citrus fruits and sesame-based sauces play important roles in Cypriot cooking. Sharing several small dishes, known as meze, is an especially cherished part of the island's food culture.
Patátes Antinahtés – Cyprus's Famous Shaken Potatoes
Patátes Antinahtés are a traditional Cypriot potato speciality, typically prepared with crushed coriander seeds and dry red wine. The name refers to the shaking or tossing technique used to coat the potatoes in their aromatic cooking juices. My Via Veggie Vegan interpretation replaces the wine with pomegranate juice and balsamic vinegar, roasts the potatoes in the oven and pairs them with a creamy soy yoghurt and tahini dip. The result is a colourful, completely plant-based variation inspired by this beloved Cypriot classic.
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Scotland – Hearty Comfort Food from the Scottish Borders
Scotland is famous for its rugged landscapes, rich traditions and hearty cuisine. Root vegetables, potatoes and cabbage have long played an important role in Scottish home cooking, particularly in the Scottish Borders, where simple, warming dishes are a treasured part of culinary heritage.
What Is Rumbledethumps?
Rumbledethumps is a traditional Scottish dish made from mashed potatoes, cabbage and onions, usually finished with a generous layer of cheese. Often compared to Irish Colcannon or English Bubble and Squeak, it can be served as a vegetarian main course or as a side dish alongside hearty meat dishes and sausages. This Halloween-inspired vegan version adds Brussels sprouts, layers of savoy cabbage and a playful spiderweb topping.
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Andorra – A Tiny Mountain Country with Hearty Culinary TraditionsNestled high in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, Andorra is one of Europe's smallest countries. Its mountain cuisine reflects centuries of Catalan influence, cold winters and a love of simple, nourishing ingredients. Potatoes, cabbage, beans and rustic vegetable dishes have long been staples of traditional Andorran cooking.
What Is Trinxat?Trinxat is one of the best-known traditional dishes of Andorra and the Catalan Pyrenees. Its name comes from the Catalan word meaning chopped or mashed. Traditionally prepared with potatoes, winter cabbage and pork fat or bacon, the mixture is pressed into a thick, tortilla-like cake and pan-fried until beautifully golden. The result is a wonderful contrast between a crispy exterior and a soft, comforting centre. This vegan version replaces the bacon with plant-based ham, uses aromatic mustard oil and finishes in the oven rather than the frying pan.
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