Natasha's Kitchen

Introduction

My Story

I learned to cook under very real circumstances. My parents were from Ukraine, where they made a living growing and selling chrysanthemums. In 1988, they arrived home to find the little white envelope that would change their lives and mine. You see, at the time, Christians in Communist U.S.S.R. faced religious persecution, and it was difficult to make a good life there. The U.S.S.R. wasn t releasing refugees to the U.S., but thanks to a backdoor visa agreement between Israel and America, one unassuming slip of paper meant that we would be able to leave for the Land of the Free.

But the early days of our new lives were not easy. My parents had to pack all the worldly possessions of five tiny girls ranging in age from two to seven (I was four) into two suitcases each, schlep through airports across the world (Austria, Italy, New York), and find a safe place to sleep. At one point, we were among fifteen people crammed into one hotel room in a refugee shelter in Austria. Once we were in the U.S., my parents had to navigate a new country and a completely new culture, learn a second language, and figure out how to support our seven-person family with jobs that paid very little.

My father chose to forgo being on welfare so he could work eighty hours a week as a toolmaker, earning just seven dollars an hour with the hope that he would eventually climb the corporate ladder (and he did I m so proud of you, Dad!). Mom, on the other hand, dreamed of becoming a restaurant chef and went to culinary school to learn the ins and outs of working in a commercial kitchen. One month before she was set to graduate, she had to undergo emergency back surgery, and although she never returned to a professional kitchen, she raised us girls in our very own restaurant at home. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of watching her create stirring seemingly random ingredients into delicious and fragrant soups, whipping up the fluffiest Oladi

Natasha Kravchuk

I ve been watching Natasha in her kitchen on social media for years, and it s amazing to see her delicious and nutritious recipes come to life in this cookbook. It will be a great mealtime resource! Yumna Jawad, founder of Feel Good Foodie
 
Natasha s passion for cooking shines through in this amazing cookbook. With delicious recipes and fun entertaining ideas (the party-size fish taco bar is a must-try!), you ll find inspiration and joy on every page. Jennifer Segal, author and creator of Once Upon a Chef
 
This collection of heartfelt, mouthwatering recipes makes me want to storm into my kitchen and cook up a fresh, comforting meal for the people I love most. This book has just the right recipe for any occasion. Erin Clarke, author of The Well Plated Cookbook
 
Natasha has a knack for transforming everyday ingredients into delicious meals that your whole family will love. You ll find yourself reaching for this cookbook again and again. Holly Nilsson, creator of Spend with Pennies

Natasha not only serves up a variety of approachable recipes the whole family will love but she also magically serves up a welcome dose of warmth and inspiration with every meal! Lisa Bryan, author of Downshiftology Healthy Meal Prep
 
Natasha s recipes are loaded with comfort and a variety of flavors, from Cucumber Pico de Gallo to Lasagna, Zuppa Toscana, Chicken Pot Pie, and the iconic Ukrainian borscht, a homage to her homeland. And along with the recipes, Natasha gives us her inspiring immigrant story, told with a good dose of joy and gratitude. Suzy Karadsheh, New York Times bestselling author of The Mediterranean Dish
 
Natasha s Kitchen is filled with foolproof recipes that the entire family will love. Whether you want a quick and easy weeknight dinner, an indulgent weekend breakfast, or a decadent dessert for a special occasion, Natasha has you covered! The recipes are