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As we usually do, we are ending this month’s exploration of Romanian cuisine with a three-course dinner party menu showcasing Romanian food.

Traditional food in Romania is alive and well. And true to its Eastern European roots, Romanian food borrows meals from other Eastern European classics like goulash and puts its own, local spin on it. A great way to discover the joys of food in Romania is to cook your own dinner party featuring traditional food in Romania.

And none of the Romanian food ingredients we use in this dinner party are exotic. So, there are no hassles trying to source any hard to find ingredients.

And did I mention Romanian wine? The history of Romanian wine production dates back over 4000 years. Today Romania is the 6^th largest wine producer in the EU, and rising fast.

Romanian Wine is a Rising Star

Romanian wine deserves your attention!

Here is yet another country starting to impact the world scene. It might be number 6 in Europe but look at the 5 countries ahead of it: France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Italy. Romanian wine production is increasing hand over foot, as the wine industry recovers from the communist era. And who knows in another 10 years, it may overtake some of the top 5.

Most Romanian wine is consumed domestically. But all the indications are that this will soon change. Romanian wine producers are increasingly exporting their wine to the rest of the world.

Romanian wine producers continue to plant many new vines so expect this trend of increasing Romanian wine production to continue. So, you can expect to see the following wine varieties in Romania: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Native varieties include white wines such as Feteasca Regala and Feteasca Alba. And reds such as Feteasca Neagra, Babeasca and Negru de Dragasani.

Of the list of varietals, the Feteasca Neagra is a highlight. This medium-body red is all class. And, If you are lucky enough to be in Romania, hunt out the Lacerta Feteasca Neagra. It goes perfectly with all of our Romanian food menu choices.

And so, onto the Romanian Dinner Party Menu

Romanian Food for our Dinner Party

Our dinner party today features:

Romanian mici. These easy, skinless sausages are the Romanian version of the Greek classic, cevapcici. If you have a hankering to make your own sausages, then here is your chance. The spicing with Hungarian paprika and coriander provides a great depth of flavor and is mild. Use your outdoor grill or broiler to cook the mici.

Romanian polenta. Move over Italy, polenta might just be more popular in Romania than Italy. Yes, polenta. Gluten-free, filling and a perfect base for a stew. Romanian tradition demands you cook polenta over an open fire. The tradition continues today in Bucharest where even in the suburbs, Bucaresti’s still prepare polenta outside, over flame. Don’t worry, you can easily make polenta inside. We have all the secrets of how to prepare polenta for a crowd.

Pork goulash. This authentic goulash recipe is a popular food in Romania. Pork goulash is easy to make and is all “set and forget”. There is a little work up front but it just quietly simmers away making it an ideal dinner party food. Just perfect with polenta, for soaking up all those lovely Romanian goulash juices.

We hope you enjoy making each of the recipes and come away with a positive view of food in Romania.

Compass & Fork Dinner Parties

We have featured previous dinner parties in some of our favorite travel destinations. You can access them here:

Turkey (the mezes are great);
Italy (the tiramisu with grappa is a highlight);
Patagonia (the dulce de leche crème caramel is sublime);
Melbourne (a fabulous food city and a reason why Melbourne regularly wins world’s most liveable city).
Vietnam (beef noodle pho –one of the best soups you will ever have)
Thai (make your own crispy, spring rolls);
Laos and Cambodia (try the fish amok – a curry which is the national dish of Cambodia)
Greece (make your own, healthy spanakopita)
Peru (a great food reputation for having the best food in South America)
Uruguay (simple and quick)
Tasmania (a reputation for the cleanest environment in the world)
American (featuring Southern classics)