11 Best Rated
Dishes with Poppy Seeds

Also known as vdolek, pecák or lopaták, Valašský frgál is a traditionally made, round-shaped sweet cake with toppings, produced in the Moravian Wallachia region in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic. The cake has a diameter of about 30 centimetres and is golden in color when fully baked. On the surface, there is a crumble that can be additionally sprinkled with sugar, cinnamon, and gingerbread crumbs, or drizzled with butter. Nearly half of the finished product (42-48%) consists of the topping, which can be made from dried pears (the most popular variety), jam, fruits, curd cheese, poppy seeds, walnuts, cabbage, kohlrabi, or carrots. The toppings are never combined. Once the cake is finished, it weighs from 600 to 700 grammes in total and can be sold either fresh or frozen. The recipe for this delicacy dates back to 1826 and is associated with festive occasions such as weddings, Christmas, and Easter.Expand

Mohnzelten is the name of a sweet Austrian pastry that's a specialty of the Waldviertel region. It consists of potato dough that's filled with poppy seeds. The dough is made from a combination of boiled potatoes, flour, butter, eggs, cream, salt, and baking powder, while the filling consists of butter, poppy seeds, honey, sugar, cinnamon, rum, and grated lemon zest. Once filled, mohnzelten are shaped into flat balls that are baked until golden brown. They're often taken on picnics and road trips as nutritious and filling snacks. Although the poppy seed version is the original, there are also versions with strawberries or nuts.Expand

Makowiec is the Polish name for poppy seed roll, a traditional cake where poppy seed paste is placed between layers of dough. Raisins, almonds, honey, and orange peel can be added to the cake in order to enhance its flavors. Ideally, makowiec should not be too sweet. It is characterized by its unique appearance when cut, with the dough and the poppy seed filling winding around each other in a spiral. When served, makowiec is usually dusted with powdered sugar. The cake is often consumed alongside tea or coffee, and it is typically prepared for festivities such as Christmas or other winter holidays. Although it can be found in stores throughout the year, making makowiec is a holiday family tradition. Makowiec can also be found throughout Central Europe, in countries such as Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, and Serbia.Expand

This simple, sweet bread pudding known as mákos guba is one of the most popular Hungarian desserts that was traditionally associated with Christmastime. This layered sweet treat consists of soaked white bread and a creamy mixture of flavored poppy seeds. Nowadays the dish is enjoyed all year round, and it appears in many variations that often incorporate nuts, dry fruit, or sliced apples. Whether it is shortly baked until crispy or served chilled, it is typically drizzled with vanilla custard or dusted with powdered sugar.Expand

Aloo posto is a traditional potato dish originating from Bengal. The dish consists of potatoes cooked in poppy seed paste and it's usually made with a combination of potatoes, poppy seeds, dried red chili peppers, lemon juice, vegetable oil, and salt. The poppy seeds and dried red chili peppers are ground into a paste. The potatoes are cut into quarters and fried in oil over medium heat until soft and golden. The poppy seed paste is fried in the same oil, and the potatoes are then added back to the pan or wok. The dish is seasoned with salt, covered with a bit of water, and cooked until the water evaporates. Once removed from the heat, lemon juice is stirred in the dish and aloo posto is ready to be enjoyed. It's recommended to serve aloo posto with dal and steamed rice on the side.Expand

Kutia is a Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian, and Polish sweet grain pudding that is traditionally served as part of a twelve-meal Christmas Eve supper. Interestingly enough, this festive treat is believed to have existed long before Christianity. It is made with wheat, berries, honey or sugar, nuts, raisins, and poppy seeds.On Christmas Eve, before consuming the dish, a small bowl of kutia is traditionally placed outdoors as a bribe to Father Frost, then some of the kutia is tossed to the ceiling, and the number of grains that stick to the ceiling are used to predict next year's agricultural prosperity.Expand

The simple and nutritious nudle s mákem is a dish consisting of wide, thin wheat pasta that is doused in copious amounts of melted butter, and then dusted with poppy seeds and sugar. Once considered a rich and luscious meal, today it represents a frugal, but a beloved dish that is enjoyed as a sweet main course or a filling dessert. Even though it is usually associated with the Czech Republic, the exact origin of the dish is still unknown, while similar varieties are found in many Central and Eastern European countries under various names. In Austria, a similar dish is known as mohnnudeln, prepared with thick and short potato noodles, while the Serbian version from Vojvodina is called rezanci s makom.Expand

Tovchanka is a traditional side dish originating from the Ternopil region. The dish is usually made with a combination of potatoes, beans, poppy seeds, onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. The beans are soaked in water and boiled until tender. The potatoes are peeled, cut, boiled in salted water, and added to the beans. The poppy seeds are soaked in warm water, ground, and added to the potatoes and beans. The mixture is enriched with finely chopped onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. It is pounded and mashed until everything is well-blended. If the dish is thick, a bit of leftover cooking water from the potatoes can be added to make it a bit thinner. Expand

Mohnpalatschinken from Austria are thin, crepe-like pancakes filled with a sweet poppy seed mixture. They are typically prepared by spreading a filling made from ground poppy seeds, sugar, and sometimes milk over the cooked pancake, which is then rolled up. Walnuts, raisins, and rum can also be added to the filling. The poppy seed filling adds a unique, slightly nutty flavor and a satisfying texture to the dish. Mohnpalatschinken are often dusted with powdered sugar and served warm, making them a popular dessert or special treat in Austrian cuisine.Expand

Lasagne ai semi di papavero is a traditional lasagna dish originating from Friuli. This pasta dish can be made savory, but it's more commonly made in a sweet version. Flour, eggs, and salt are used to make the lasagne pasta that are boiled in salted water and drained. The pasta is arranged on a serving plate and it's topped with a cooked mixture of poppy seeds, butter, and sugar. The dish is served warm and it's enjoyed immediately. For the savory version, it's recommended to use poppy seeds, prosciutto crudo, leeks, butter, sometimes gorgonzola cheese, and cream. The savory version is usually topped with fresh sage leaves before serving. Expand