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Home » Podcast Episodes » Eastern European Heritage

022 "I am Piotr's Granddaughter" with Lydia Cottrell

Last Modified: Mar 8, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links

An American-born Ukranian named Lydia reached out to me in December. She wrote, “I love the concept of this podcast. Our memories are so tied up with food.

I found my entire family in a Ukranian village. When I turned around, there on the table were the same foods I had grown up eating.” I was immediately intrigued and wanted to hear more of this story.

As Lydia shared this beautiful story centered around Varenyky (otherwise known as pierogies), I learned why she is so very proud to call herself Piotr’s Granddaughter. I also came to understand how proud Piotr would be of his granddaughter Lydia.

Highlights

  • Verynyky/Pierogis
  • Why Lydia keeps a piece of coal on her kitchen windowsill
  • Working in Ukraine after the wall fell
  • Finding long-lost family
  • Trading shots of homemade vodka with a dying woman
  • Lessons for adoptive families

Listen to Lydia

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Lydia's Storied Recipe

Ukrainian Varynyky Recipe (Pierogi)

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Before You Go... Try One of These?

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Welcome, Friend!

I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

More About Me ->

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  • 058 "I Wanted Something Different" with Juan Salazar of La Coop Coffee
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dark and moody photo of Becky Hadeed kneading arepas dough

Welcome, Friend!

I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

More About Me ->

Most Popular Recipes

  • two slices of chewy golden nian gao on pink plate
    Baked Nian Gao: Glutinous Rice Cake (with Sticky Rice Flour)
  • hand holds flaky spiraled roti paratha (aka roti canai in malaysia) above lush green foliage.
    How to Make Flaky Roti Paratha (Malaysian Roti Canai)
  • pollo frito puerto rican fried chicken with no flour in basket lined with red checked napkin
    Pollo Frito: Puerto Rican Fried Chicken (Without Flour)
  • delicate white dish holds fish cooked in tomato sauce, topped with gently caramelized onons, dill and parsley
    Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce

Follow in Your Favorite Player

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts

Listen to the Latest

Featured Episodes

  • 058 "I Wanted Something Different" with Juan Salazar of La Coop Coffee
  • 022 "I am Piotr's Granddaughter" with Lydia Cottrell
  • 019 "We Were Not Leprosy" with Suwanee Lennon
  • 077 Arabic Feasts with My Husband, John Hadeed
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