Difficulty: Medium | Yields: 6 servings
Step back into the heart of medieval Poland with Czernina, a traditional sweet-and-sour soup once served to both honored guests and rejected suitors. Made with duck blood, broth, dried fruits, and warm spices, it’s a flavorful dish rich in culinary lore. Perfect for historical feasts, cultural immersion dinners, or those curious about authentic Old World cooking.
📜 Why This Works
“Because every dish carries a story—this one’s bittersweet, bold, and centuries old.”
The depth of duck broth meets the iron-rich warmth of fresh blood, mellowed by dried plums, pears, and a touch of honey. Vinegar adds bright contrast, while cloves and allspice lend aromatic complexity—creating a layered, unforgettable experience.
Ingredients for Medieval Czernina
☑️ 1 whole duck (for broth and meat)
☑️ 1 cup fresh duck blood (mixed with 2 tbsp vinegar to prevent clotting)
☑️ 1 onion, halved
☑️ 2 carrots, chopped
☑️ 1 parsley root or parsnip, chopped
☑️ 1 bay leaf
☑️ 4 dried plums (prunes)
☑️ 2 dried pears, sliced
☑️ 1 tbsp raisins
☑️ ½ tsp ground allspice
☑️ 3 whole cloves
☑️ 1–2 tbsp honey
☑️ 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (adjust to taste)
☑️ Salt and pepper to taste
☑️ Optional: ½ cup sour cream for finishing
☑️ Optional: noodles or kluski for serving
👩🍳 How to Make It Medieval Czernina
🦆 Step 1: Make the Duck Broth
1️⃣ Clean and cut the duck into parts.
2️⃣ Simmer with onion, carrots, parsley root, bay leaf, and salt for 1.5–2 hours until tender.
3️⃣ Strain and reserve the broth. Remove meat from bones.
💉 Step 2: Prepare the Blood Mix
1️⃣ Ensure duck blood is well mixed with vinegar to prevent coagulation.
2️⃣ Strain if needed, and keep chilled until use.
🍇 Step 3: Build the Sweet-Sour Base
1️⃣ In a clean pot, add broth, dried fruits, allspice, cloves, and honey.
2️⃣ Simmer gently for 20 minutes until fruits are soft and fragrant.
🥣 Step 4: Add the Blood
1️⃣ Reduce heat to low—broth should not be boiling.
2️⃣ Slowly stir in duck blood, constantly whisking to prevent curdling.
3️⃣ Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
🍽️ Step 5: Final Touch & Serve
1️⃣ Adjust seasoning with vinegar, salt, and pepper.
2️⃣ Stir in sour cream if using.
3️⃣ Add shredded duck meat and serve hot with noodles or rustic bread.
💖 Why You’ll Love It
☑️ Tells a romantic, legendary tale in every spoonful
☑️ Layers sweet fruit with savory broth in a harmonious balance
☑️ True-to-history, yet adjustable for modern tastes
☑️ A showstopper centerpiece for medieval or heritage meals
“Explore flavors once served in noble courts—rich, nuanced, and unlike anything you’ve had before.”
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Truffle Honey Glazed Duck Breast You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
Discover rare culinary experiences at Good Food and More—where every recipe is a journey through heritage, craftsmanship, and unforgettable flavors.
