5 Popular Czech Dishes That You’ll Love To Cook This Holiday Season
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany in the North, Austria in the West, Poland in the East and Slovakia in the South. The cuisine of the Czech Republic is influenced by the cuisines of neighboring countries and the traditional dishes of the Moravian and Bohemian regions.
If you’re looking for an authentic Czech dish like pork shoulder roast to cook this festive season, here are some of our favorites:
1. Goulash
Goulash is a meat stew usually made with beef or veal, potatoes, and spices. It was originally a Hungarian dish but has since spread to neighboring Central Europe, and many variations have been developed.
In the Czech Republic, goulash can be prepared either in a soup form or a stew-like form. You need to brown the meat and vegetables first and then simmer them in a flavorful stock to cook this dish. Serving beef at your next dinner party is always a good idea.
2. Roast Pork Shoulder
Roast pork shoulder is a typical Christmas dish that takes some time to make, but it’s well worth the effort. The roast pork shoulder recipe doesn’t require any additional spices since it flavors the pork by itself as it roasts. To make it tender and juicy, you need to cook it at a very low temperature in the oven for several hours.
You can give the pork shoulder roast an extra flavor dimension by basting it with marc (the residue from fermented grapes) or pálinka (Hungarian brandy).
3. Czech Dumplings (Knedlíky)
Czech dumplings are also known as knedlíky. These doughy, bread-like dumplings are cooked in boiling water and then served with different types of sauces or toppings, such as fried onion, cooked cabbage, beef kidney stew (sví?kovánasmetan?) or sauerkraut.
Czech dumplings can be made with either flour or potatoes, and there are many different variations, such as the sweet and fluffy šarlotkaknedlíky, which are made with apples and cinnamon. It is usually served with the main course but can also be eaten as a side dish.
4. Pork Roulades
Pork roulades are a popular Czech dish that can be prepared as a main dish or as part of a larger meal.
The recipe typically consists of pork tenderloin wrapped around pickles, green peppers, onions, and spices such as marjoram, pepper, or nutmeg. The pork is then cooked in a skillet or oven and served with a sauce made from the pan juices. Pork roulades are usually served with potato salad and bread dumplings (knedlíky).
5. Traditional Christmas Cake (Bûche de Noël)
The traditional Czech Christmas cake, or Bûche de Noël, is a chocolate cake made in a log shape. The cake is decorated with chocolate frosting and various toppings, such as powdered sugar, cocoa powder, nuts, or berries.
The Bûche de Noël is a popular Christmas dessert in many European countries, but the Czech version is typically decorated with a forest of spruce branches.
6. Pilsner Urquell
No article about Czech cuisine would be complete without mentioning at least one of the country’s famous beers. Pilsner Urquell is a light golden lager that was first brewed in 1842 in the city of Plze?. Today, it is known to be one of the best pilsners in the world.
Since its creation, the recipe has been slightly changed, but it still uses Saaz hops and soft water from the city’s underground wells. Pilsner Urquell is also credited with being one of the first golden lagers to be brewed (the other contender for this title is Spaten), which at that time was considered to be inferior quality.
So, if you’re looking for some delicious Czech dishes to cook this holiday season, we recommend giving the above recipes, specifically the pork shoulder roast, a try. From goulash to pork roulades, there’s something for everyone! Don’t forget to wash it down with a cold glass of Pilsner Urquell.