In its development Belarusian cuisine has been influenced by the Russian, Lithuanian as well as Jewish, Tartars and some other traditions.

Some general features of Belarusian cuisine include:
-wide use of such products as forest mushrooms and berries, herbs, apples, pears, river fish and crab, milk products.
-Belarusian cuisine is known for a big choice of potato dishes. Potato is called "second bread" in Belarus.
-Mushrooms are widely used in cooking but rarely as a separate dish and are mostly used to add taste to the main dish. Usually they are stewed or boiled.
-Belarusian cuisine is known for rich soups, often dressed with sour cream, as well as cold soups refreshing for the hot summer periods.
-Marinated vegetables are widely used in Belarusian cuisine: marinated tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms etc.
-Pork is widely used in homemade sausages. Low fat pork and beef are mostly baked not fried. In traditional cuisine goose was widely used however nowadays it is mostly replaced by chicken.
-Grated and pureed forms of products (meats, fish, potatoes, vegetables) are used in many dishes separately or in combination with each other.
Read more about general features of Belarusian Cuisine

Most famous Belarusian potato dish known all around the world is draniki or potato pancakes.

Draniki come in many variants as well: with various fillings such as mushrooms, meat, sour kraut, fish or with various toppings - creamy machanka (meat or mushrooms machanka), sour cream, cheese etc.

Belarusian Draniki

10-12 potatoes;
2-3 eggs;
3-4 tbl spoon of flour;
1 onion;
2-3 tablespoon sour cream;
oil;
salt to your taste.
Grate potatoes and onion together, drain out excess potato juice. Whip eggs and mix everything with flour and sour cream. Put some oil on a pan and let it get hot. Put a small portion of the draniki puree on the pan and let it get golden fried from one side. Turn it over and fry it from the other side. Serve with sourcream or machanka.

Get more free recipes of Belarusian potato dishes