Machanka

Machanka is a traditional dish of Ukrainian (above all Polissia) cuisine, a thick and hearty dipping gravy — curd-cheese (made of cottage cheese and sour cream), mushroom, or meat — whose very name comes from the word “machaty” — to dip. For it is eaten exactly that way — by dipping pieces of food into it.

Machanka is made from homemade sausage, ribs, smoked meats, or fatback, which are stewed and then covered with a gravy based on a flour roux, sour cream, or milk. The gravy turns out aromatic, rich, and tender. The classic way of serving is with thick yeasted pancakes or fluffy bread, which are dipped into the hot machanka. This is a simple, homely, warming dish that embodies the very essence of a generous rural cuisine meant for a large family at a shared table.