Hrenky

Hrenky are a simple but beloved dish of Ukrainian cuisine — slices of bread fried to a crisp crust. It is a fine example of how, from stale bread, one can quickly make a tasty dish in its own right or a complement to others.

Hrenky come in two main kinds. Savoury hrenky are fried in oil or fatback and often rubbed while hot with garlic and salt — such golden slices are traditionally served with borsch, soups, or as a snack. Sweet hrenky are made differently: slices of bread are dipped in a mixture of beaten egg with milk and sugar and then fried in butter until golden (this dish is akin to the French “pain perdu”). Such sweet hrenky are dusted with sugar or drizzled with honey and served for breakfast or dessert. Simple and unpretentious, this dish is an example of a thrifty and inventive home cuisine.