Landlocked Belarus touches borders with five countries, and the cuisine represents the best of the Russian and Eastern European region.

- By John Jacobs

Ask a Belarusian to describe the food in one word, and it would have to be “potatoes.” That may not sound too exotic, but do not underestimate foods made by people who have taken the lowly potato to new heights and turned it into the main ingredient in Belarusian dishes. There are potato dumplings and thick, hearty potato pancakes (draniki), potato and mushroom dishes (dracheny), and grated potato pies (babka). With a few mushrooms and vegetables added to the dishes, the ordinary potato is turned into cuisine. Historica....