🇧🇾 Belarusian Cuisine

Machanka

Meat and Mushroom Gravy

Prep Time 40 min
Servings 4
Difficulty Medium
Calories 486 kcal

A rich gravy of sausages, mushrooms, and sour cream, served with thick bliny (pancakes). The ultimate Belarusian comfort duo.

Ingredients

  • 400g smoked beef sausages, sliced into 2cm rounds
  • 200g mixed mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 200ml sour cream
  • 200ml beef stock or water
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Bliny or thick pancakes for serving

Instructions

  1. 1 Melt one tablespoon of butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausages and fry for four to five minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and slightly crispy on the cut surfaces.
  2. 2 Remove the sausages to a plate. Add the remaining butter to the skillet, then add the diced onion and cook for five minutes until soft and translucent. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another five to six minutes until golden.
  3. 3 Sprinkle the flour over the onion and mushroom mixture, stirring continuously for two minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. The flour will absorb the butter and cooking juices to form a roux that will thicken the sauce.
  4. 4 Gradually pour in the beef stock while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring until it thickens into a smooth, coating consistency similar to a light bechamel.
  5. 5 Return the browned sausage slices to the skillet. Stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated, creating a rich, creamy gravy that clings to the sausages and mushrooms. Simmer gently for five minutes — do not boil, as the sour cream may separate.
  6. 6 Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the chopped fresh dill. Serve the machanka immediately, spooned generously over warm bliny or thick pancakes, allowing the rich gravy to soak into the pancakes for the traditional Belarusian experience.

Did You Know?

Machanka literally means 'dipping sauce' — the thick, rich gravy is meant for soaking up with pancakes.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/belarusian/machanka/