Vol. 3, The Kitchen Library
Olia Hercules' gorgeous "Mamushka," a short story worth re-reading, and the delight of too many cookbooks
I have so many things I could say about this past month. I could talk about my dad, who famously says, “there’s always hope in March!” and how that theme of hope was a constant thread throughout this month’s cookbook (note: my dad is specifically referring to his golf game when he says this, but that’s beside the point 😉). I could talk about the dangers of using a mandoline without the guard (ASK ME HOW I KNOW), or about the particular joy of trying out new recipes on willing friends and family. I could talk about porch drops and cookbook club and so many little, wonderful things.
But I really just want to talk about Ukraine. Many years ago, my dear dear friend Karissa was serving with the Peace Corps in Ukraine. She invited us (my husband and me) to visit her—and so we went! She was the best and kindest host, showing us all around her city of Vinnytsia and teaching us about the beauty and resilience of Ukrainian culture + its people. We ate ribs on the river, Khachapuri in a Georgian restaurant, and borshch in an underground mall. We rode a midnight train, hopped on a bus tour of Kyiv, and logged so many steps walking all over the city. It was wonderful.
Of course, there’s still so much I don’t know about Ukraine. I experienced it as a tourist (a few photos below!). But because of Karissa, and because of writers and chefs like Olia Hercules, I continue to learn a bit more about this beautiful country. And maybe a tangible way to keep learning is to keep cooking, keep reading, keep sharing. 💛 🇺🇦
Here’s what I’ve been up to this past month!
Cookbooks:
MAMUSHKA: Recipes from Ukraine & Eastern Europe |
I love it when a cookbook tells a story. In Mamushka, Olia Hercules—activist, author, and chef—tells us the story of her Ukrainian heritage. The recipes are woven together by personal recollections of the people, the moments, and the land that shaped her upbringing. It’s a love letter to her grandmother and aunt, and to all the strong women who raised her. It’s an offering of belonging, abundance, and flavor. It’s such a stunning cookbook; I’m obsessed with it.
—> I just ADORE how Olia makes sure to say that none of the recipes are too prescriptive. There’s permission to play, to riff, to create. She’s intentionally widening the table, inviting us pull up a seat, cook instinctively, and find our own way with each recipe.
🤩 I first heard about this cookbook from my lovely friend Hannah, who has the most dreamy cookbook collection and who honestly makes the best food. She said I would love it and she was so right. I can’t wait to pick up more titles from Olia (she has several, including a memoir coming out summer 2025!!).
I ended up making 15 recipes from this book in March!
What I loved:
The Spring Radish and Tomato Salad is a new favorite for SURE. It’s a bright, tangy, fresh salad that’s basically a bunch of sliced cucumbers, radishes, and tomatoes, tossed together in a tangy yogurt sauce. Super simple, super yummy. My tomatoes weren’t in season and it was still incredible.
The recipe for Pampushky (Ukrainian Garlic Bread) is so dang delicious, I made it twice this month. With minimal effort, you get these gorgeous, plump rolls that bake up beautifully and are immediately slathered with an infused garlic oil. They are tender, super garlicky, and traditionally served with borshch. Can confirm they are just as delicious served with pasta … or even on their own. ;)
The Plum, Rum, & Raisin Conserve brought so much delight to my morning toast. You soak golden raisins in rum overnight, and the next day add some chopped plums, vanilla, and a few other things to simmer together on the stove. It all comes together to make a chunky jam with a subtle rum flavor. Olia recommends making this to give as a Christmas gift and I 100% plan on doing that this year.
The Kefir + Herb Barbecued Chicken was easy, summery, and delicious. It was my first time using Kefir; now I’ve used it a lot more this month! The chicken is simple and flavorful and perfect with rice and fresh veggies.
Honorable mentions:
Kharcho (Spicy Georgian Beef Soup): Olia describes this recipe as “thick and sumptuous” and “spicy and sharp.” YES PLEASE. I will say, I wasn’t initially getting the sharp kick she promised, so I gave myself permission to play around and add more things, like soy sauce, more pomegranate molasses, LOTS more salt, and so on. It was really fun to build the flavors of this soup and come up with something I was proud of.
spicy soup and my tiniest kitchen helper ;) Ukrainian biscotti: I described this recipe as a drier, less sweet version of pecan sandies. My husband replied, “so, like actual sand?” :) But then we all tried them and they are surprisingly good!! A nutty, fruity, crumbly cookie that’s FAB with a hot cup of coffee. I loved them so much and ate a bunch. Will be making again!
Raspberry Conserve: Yes, another conserve recipe that I fell in love with! Honestly, you could buy this cookbook just for the gorgeous small-batch conserve/jam recipes she includes. This raspberry one was crazy easy to make and impossibly good. As soon as apricots are in season, I’ll definitely be trying out her apricot jam.
THE BIG BOOK OF BREAD | King Arthur Baking Company
Well, I made ONE thing from this book all month. I know one thing still counts, but I’m sad I haven’t made this book more of a priority over here. There’s always hope in April!
What I made: Everyday Bread, which is as simple and practical as it sounds. It uses whole wheat flour, is shaped for a loaf pan, and bakes up sooooo beautifully. It was perfect for toasting and slathering with butter!
Books:
Lent by Esau McCaulley
📚 A small little book that concisely summarizes the season of Lent. Whether you’ve practiced Lent for years, or don’t even really know what Lent is, this book is a gracious guide and companion to walk you through the liturgical season. (Our family is Anglican; I’m so grateful for this little resource and for the writings of Esau McCaulley)
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
📚 This was my second time reading this short story! It’s one of my favorite books and it was absolutely worth the re-read. There aren’t many authors who match Claire Keegan. I was motivated to read this again so I could watch the movie. It’s a beautiful movie, but feel like it’s definitely the case that the book is better. ;)
The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon
📚 Oh, this book was so lovely. I waited for the audiobook to come available for what felt like literal years—it was worth the wait! Sharon reads the book and it’s so tender, so uplifting, so dear. It’s wonderfully researched and tells the stories of Americans who weren’t famous, but who nonetheless changed the course of history.
Yours from the Tower by Sally Nicholls
📚 Such a fun read! My wonderful friend Heather recommended this one as a delightful regency-era read. I spent several happy days making food in my kitchen while listening to this one, which is about three friends who exchange letters in the year 1896. It’s a coming-of-age story and the audiobook is whimsical and fun. I definitely recommend!
The Love of my Life by Rosie Walsh
📚 You know when you just need a quick read you can lose yourself in? This was that. It’s a bit of a thriller, a bit of a mystery, a bit of a love story. It keeps you turning the page to figure out what’s coming next. It wasn’t my favorite read ever, but I did enjoy immersing myself in this story for a few days!
Other enthusiasms:
A long-standing enthusiasm for me is checking out too many cookbooks from the library. Will I read through all of them before they are due back? Impossible. But that doesn’t stop me. I’m comforted to know I have them and they look so pretty in my kitchen right now. Also, I’m doing research! Gotta pick my next cookbook of the month! Stay tuned for what I pick. :)
Other things that brought me joy this month:
Listening to the rain, rewatching BBC’s Pride & Prejudice 😍, playing with watercolors, learning how to organize + stock my pantry from
, visiting my local bakery, listening to this album from Georgian-French pianist Khatia Buniatishvili, and eating this chocolate non-stop.
See you next month for more kitchen library chronicles!
-Amanda
I don’t have paid subscriptions turned on, which means everything you’re getting from me is free! If you enjoyed this post, I would be so grateful if you considered supporting my work by buying me a coffee (or ensuring I have enough cookies on hand to fuel my writing!
“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
-Mary Oliver
Love your substack, Amanda! What a lovely peek into your kitchen and the way you approach cooking. 💛
Still thinking about your lovely post a few weeks letter. I love how you shared about your experience in Ukraine and for the tender way you engaged with the stories and recipes. Can’t wait to try making some from the cookbook!! Thank you so much for sharing ❤️