Natasha’s Kitchen Book Review

“Natasha’s Kitchen: 100+ Easy Family-Favorite Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again” is a cookbook by Natasha Kravchuk. She is the recipe developer and food blogger behind Natasha’s Kitchen.  Her cookbook was released in October 2023.  The book offers over 100 recipes that have an accessible collection for large extended family gatherings.  

The cookbook is organized into various sections, including breakfasts, soups, salads, main courses, and sides. Each recipe is accompanied by clear instructions, vibrant photographs, and personal anecdotes from Kravchuk’s culinary journey. The book features traditional Ukrainian dishes from her mother. These include classic Borscht and Pierogis. There are also popular American favorites like lasagna and chicken noodle soup.

The cookbook has received positive reviews from both critics and readers. Library Journal praised Kravchuk’s ability to blend her Ukrainian heritage with widely loved recipes. They noted the inclusion of “heartfelt, mouthwatering recipes.” These recipes inspire readers to cook for their loved ones.  Now most Ukrainian gals own her cookbook at home, including myself.  It is a great gift for Mother’s Day.

On Amazon, the book holds a 4.8 out of 5-star rating. There are over 3,900 reviews. Readers praise its user-friendly approach and the quality of the recipes. One reviewer remarked, “With delicious recipes and fun entertaining ideas, you’ll find inspiration and joy on every page.”  I like to read it for the beautiful photography. 

Natasha Kravchuk the creator of the traditional Ukrainian recipes transferred her love for cooking to her followers.  Her family favorites are now my family favorites.  

I was introduced to Natasha’s Kitchen by my aunt in 2010.  A year after Natasha started her blog.  “My daughter recently married and is learning to cook from Natasha.  She has all the recipes that you need.”  I have been tracking her since then. I love to see her grow and blossom.  I am inspired and thrilled by her success.  I mostly learned how to cook from my mom.  I had the basics under my belt: different types of soups, different types of dough, and vegetable canning.  From Natasha, I learned the fancy way of cooking.  I fell in love with trying different recipes on my own.  After you try one recipe and or watch one video, you are inspired to keep going.  I was constantly on her site searching and learning different recipes.  My husband’s recipe requests were all found on Natasha’s Kitchen website.  Now our family favorites are: salmon piccata, crispy bacon jalapeno poppers, turkey meatball soup, and famous pierogis.  Whenever I need new dishes, I go got Natasha’s Kitchen.

Why You Would Love Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook.

There are many Slavic-Ukrainian cooks, but Natasha is my favorite.  Her easy, teachable approach to cooking caught my attention.  She gets to the point with each recipe.  She has over a hundred foolproof recipes for any occasion.  I use a lot of her weeknight recipes for my family during the busiest weeknight.   After you read her recipe and or watch any of her videos, you know exactly what to do.  

The creator of the wildly popular website, Natasha, quickly became an answer to the problem within the Ukrainian community.  A fix to a hole that silently existed many years before she started her blog.  Young Ukrainian girls were lacking cooking skills when they married the handsome young man.  It was embarrassing for most girls to call their mothers for cooking advice.   Ukrainian moms are often judgmental, “Didn’t you see how I cooked?  Why didn’t you learn when I was teaching you?  All you wanted to do was chill out with your friends.”  Past these encounters, no girl wanted to call her mom ever again for advice.  Calling mother-in-law was even scarier.  “What if she thinks that her son married the wrong one?”  For many years, this hole existed. Thank God, Natasha published her family’s favorite recipes.  Cooking from Natasha’s recipes was a way to surprise your husband in the first place.  Then the goal is to surprise your mom and your mother-in-law.  A mom would say: “I didn’t know you knew how to cook.”  I feel great!  For the adrenaline effect, you visit Natasha’s kitchen more and more.   

By now, she is well known in the Ukrainian community, all moms recommend Natasha’s kitchen to their newlyweds. Inability to cook from scratch is a shame and disgrace in the Ukrainian community. You don’t want people to talk badly of you; so, you learn from Natasha’s kitchen. 

I love the idea that she shares many family pictures and an immigration story of her family.  As a lot of us can relate to her in many ways as immigrants.  Now past after a decade, all gatherings within the Ukrainian community have more than one dish on a potluck table. 

In Conclusion, “Natasha’s Kitchen” offers a diverse array of recipes. These blend traditional Ukrainian flavors with classic American dishes. All recipes are presented in an accessible and engaging manner. This cookbook is a valuable resource if you’re an experienced cook or a beginner. It helps you create meals that are both comforting and flavorful.