When moving to Canada, many Ukrainian families face the challenge of adapting their favorite recipes to new conditions and available ingredients. Although many authentic Ukrainian products can be found in specialty stores in Calgary, it is often necessary to find Canadian alternatives that will preserve the taste of traditional dishes.
Dairy products: key differences and substitutes
Sour cream
Traditional Ukrainian sour cream is 15–20% fat, sour, and thick.
Canadian alternatives:
-
Daisy sour cream— the most popular among Ukrainians -
Crème fraîche— fat content and taste similar to sour cream - Bles-wold sour cream (18%) — Co-op
- Kozak homemade sour cream — at European Market
- Homemade recipe: 3/4 cup heavy cream + 1/4 cup buttermilk, leave at room temperature for 12–24 hours.
Tvorog (Tvorog)
Differs from cottage cheese in texture and taste.
Best substitutes:
-
Farmer’s cheese(Pressed cottage cheese) -
Dry curd cottage cheese(Dairyland) -
Quark— Co-op, Edelweiss Village - Homemade cottage cheese:
- Mix 4 liters of whole milk + 1 liter of buttermilk
- Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours
- Heat over low heat until separated
- Strain through cheesecloth for 5–6 hours
Flour: understanding protein
Protein content:
- Canadian all-purpose: 13.3%
- Ukrainian (2019): 12.58%, (2023): 10.96%
- American all-purpose: 10–11%
Recommendations:
- For dumplings and pies:
pastry flourorall-purpose + cake flour (3:1) - For bread:
all-purposeorbread flour - For cakes: reduce water by 10–15%
All white flour in Canada is enriched with: B vitamins, folic acid, iron.
Cereals and grains
Buckwheat
Where to buy:
- Kalinka European Food Market
- European Market & Deli
- T&T Supermarket
- Instacart
Alternatives:
- Quinoa
- Steel-cut oats
- Brown rice
- Bulgar wheat
Recipe for “Canadian buckwheat”:
- 1/2 cup buckwheat + 1.5 cups water + salt, cinnamon
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes
Millet
- Millet — at Bulk Barn, health food stores
- Quinoa — a more affordable alternative
- Pearl barley — for soups
Oils and fats
Sunflower oil
Alternatives:
- Finger Lakes Organic Sunflower Oil
- Canola oil
- Avocado oil
- Mild/light Olive oil
Replace 1:1
- For baking: sunflower → avocado / mild olive oil
- For frying: canola / avocado
Herbs and spices
Tarragon
Substitutes:
- Fresh tarragon (1:1)
- Fennel fronds
- Fresh parsley
- Celery seeds
Ratio:
1 tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dried
Where to buy:
- The Spice Merchant
- The Silk Road Spice Merchant
- European Market
Ukrainian seasoning (homemade mix):
Dill, pepper, garlic, onion, parsley, carrot — mix in equal parts.
Vegetables and preserves
Beets
- Fresh — in any supermarket
- Beet kvass — for borscht (can be made at home)
Cabbage
- Green cabbage — for stuffed cabbage rolls, borscht
- Savoy cabbage — softer
- Sauerkraut — in stores or homemade
Baked goods and desserts
Honey:
- Buckwheat honey — Hutsul Coffee Factory
- Wildflower honey — for baking
- Maple syrup — for experimenting
Nuts and seeds:
- Canadian walnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Sunflower seeds — at Bulk Barn
Practical tips for adapting recipes
General principles:
- Start with small portions
- Take notes
- Replace ingredients gradually
- Consider your family's preferences
Seasonal tips:
- Summer: fresh vegetables, greens
- Winter: frozen/canned supplies
- Spring: experiments
- Fall: preserves
Savings:
- Bulk Barn — spices, seeds, nuts
- Costco — large quantities
- No Frills, Walmart — budget
Premium:
- Cookbook Co. Cooks
- Williams Sonoma
- Italian Centre Shop
Recipes with adapted ingredients
Canadian-style cheese curds
- 500 g farmer's cheese
- 2 eggs, 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar, pinch of salt
- Fry in canola oil
Borscht
- Fresh beets + homemade beet kvass
- Sour cream, fresh or dried dill
- Canola oil for dressing
Vareniki
- Dough: pastry + all-purpose (1:1), less water
- Filling: farmer's cheese + sour cream
Storage of adapted ingredients
Dairy products
- Farmer's cheese — 3–5 days
- Crème fraîche — can be frozen
- Homemade cottage cheese — best in the first 2–3 days
Oils
- Avocado oil — in a dark place
- Open sunflower oil — up to 6 months
- Coconut oil — solid in cold temperatures
Spices
- Store dry dill in an airtight container
- Freeze fresh herbs in oil
- Buy spices in small quantities
Conclusion
Adapting Ukrainian recipes to Canadian realities is a creative process that requires patience and openness. Calgary offers a wide selection of both authentic products and worthy alternatives that allow you to preserve your favorite flavors even far from home.