About

Hi there! My name is Natasha Kravchuk. My handsome husband, Vadim, and I started Natasha’s Kitchen in 2009 and develop recipes and recipe videos together full-time. In 2023, we published our debut cookbook – Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook, which quickly became a New York Times Best-Selling Book (on the list for 3 weeks in a row!).

I come from a family of fantastic cooks and I’m here to share generations of recipes that are homey, fresh, healthy, family-friendly, authentic, and adventurous. Most importantly, our recipes taste great and you can trust that they actually work.

Natasha of NatashasKitchen sitting

My Family:

My parents came to the U.S. as refugees from Ukraine when I was 4 years old. They brought 5 tiny girls and had nothing but a stack of suitcases. They didn’t know the language, but worked hard and achieved the American dream. Watch the TV News Segment about our incredible story.

Growing up, I used to be so shy I thought no one would marry me until my husband came along and swept me off my feet (true story). I married my wonderful husband Vadim (who is also Ukrainian) over 16 years ago. We are blessed with two children. Every recipe that I develop is thoroughly tested and approved by each of us and is often critiqued by relatives and friends. We only post the recipes we love and make over and over.

We live in Idaho, “Ida-who?” Potatoes, people, potatoes! Our family attends Life Church Boise. We strive to walk in love and live our lives by the word of God and the life of Jesus.

Family crouching down and smiling

My Background:

We’re so thankful to be full-time foodies and recipe developers. We’re living our dream because of you and I can’t thank you enough! I draw on all of my past experiences which make me the recipe developer, video creator, photographer, writer, and business owner that I am today. We set the bar high so you can expect great recipes and videos here. God has made all of my past experiences work for my good.

The ‘Resume’:

  • Starting as a teen, I worked for 7 years as a business intern (my most valuable ‘education’).
  • Earned my bachelor’s degree in business (long story)
  • Worked as a Realtor for 4 years during which I had an early mid-life crisis and cried a lot (let’s just say it wasn’t for me).
  • Earned a second bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked as an RN in telemetry (shorter story, but still long).
  • Blogging since 2009

So, I’m a wife, mom, food blogger, video creator, photographer, writer, influencer, social media boss, entrepreneur, and worship leader. If I were a sandwich, I’d be a chicken bacon avocado on focaccia.

Natasha serving food to children

About Natasha’s Kitchen:

I started this food and family blog in 2009 as a way to share favorite recipes and events with family and friends. It has grown much larger than I could have imagined with about 1,200 recipes and about 19 Million hungry visitors per month. In 2023, we passed 3,000,000 subscribers on YouTube and our channel is growing fast.

My goal with Natasha’s Kitchen is for you to really discover and fall in love with cooking and find many new favorite recipes your family will love. The ingredients we use are simple and easily accessible; not overly hoity-toity. My motto: if you can read (a well-written, tested, and trusted recipe), you can cook.

This is a personal website and all of the recipes are tested and approved by my family. All of the photography is done by myself and I’m the one showing up in our videos. My husband edits the photos and videos (and he’s the videographer single-handedly running 3 cameras at once).

Most of the recipes I share come from my mom and mother-in-law, family, friends, and my own experience in the kitchen. I am so thankful to have such amazing people in my life who generously share their rich knowledge of cooking.

father and son eating food

How I got Started Cooking:

To be completely honest, I wasn’t always excited about cooking. When I got married in 2003, it became a necessity – “must eat to live” and Mom wasn’t doing the cooking anymore. We had a lot of frozen meals and ate out too much in the first year of our marriage. I had a free summer (and decided I would improve my cooking skills so we could live and eat healthier.

I dove into cookbook after cookbook and plundered my mom’s recipe books. I was at the library all the time bringing home piles of cookbooks; I was hooked! I even read my mother’s cooking textbook from her college days (Mom completed her culinary program when we moved to the US). I had discovered the joy of cooking. Within a few months, my husband and I each lost weight just from cooking more at home. Now I can’t stop cooking and thinking about cooking and dreaming about cooking… I was born for this!

My recipe collection continues to grow. I love to try new recipes and will share my favorites with you. I hope you enjoy this blog and find recipes that will become your family favorites as well.

family laughing and smiling together

Get Featured: If you would like your recipe featured on this site, email it to me by clicking here (warning: spammers will get hit in the face with unripe avocados).

Disclaimer: This blog includes only my own opinions and is not professional advice. It is not intended to be dietary advice or a diet plan, although I try to post healthy-ish recipes, please talk to your Dr. for medical or dietary advice. I am not liable if you eat too many cheeseburgers.

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Comments

  • Michel
    January 17, 2017

    I recently discovered this recipe on Pinterest and I’ve made it twice in two weeks. I was wondering if this recipe would work on boneless skinless chicken breast? Thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 17, 2017

      Hi Michel, I’m glad you like my recipe but since you left this comment on my About page, I’m not sure which one you are referring to 🙂

      Reply

  • Oksana
    January 8, 2017

    I just wanted to express my gratitude for a wonderful job that you and your husband are doing. I was not a big fan of cooking before I came across your website. Your recipes are so simple to make, that it brings satisfaction from cooking. I have tried few recipes from your collection, and my husband cant have enough of Ukrainian borscht and crepes. And right now we are impatiently waiting for pulled port in slow cooker to be done. We became big fans of your family’s work. Wish you lots of inspiration in maintaining your blog. Thanks for bringing delicious food to my table.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 9, 2017

      You are so very welcome Oksana! Your wonderful review brought a big smile to my face!!! 🙂

      Reply

  • Mark Vylonis
    January 8, 2017

    I can ontly say the Lord brought me to your pinterest blog. I was looking for a recipe for ground chicken, and found yours . I made it . It was a hit , and easy to make. I read your testimony and it brought tears to my eyes, the holy spirit showed me. May he bless you and your family. I’m lithuanian. and sort of know the russian food ,and some of it is yes bizzarre.Some Lithuanian food is bizzarre. My Grand Parents came over to America in 1917, on a German ship to seek a better life.Love your recipes, keep up the good work ,take care of that family, and put God first, and he will direct your path’s.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 8, 2017

      Thank you so much for your encouraging words!! God bless you Mark! 🙂

      Reply

  • Andrew
    January 6, 2017

    Natasha,

    I came across your website while researching authentic Ukrainian/Russian dishes. I was very impressed with your “no nonsense” approach to cooking and your way of speaking clearly, and openly is very refreshing! There are simply too many celebrity “wanna be chefs” now on television shows. So, for me is best to read and look for recipes online…

    I have been to Ukraine many times in the past and I simply fell in love with your regional cuisine. I have been cooking for many years (I had to learn as I have never been married, and I may have starved?) and I am excited to learn how to prepare the many dishes I have tasted from your country!

    Andrew

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 6, 2017

      Thank you for following Andrew! Let me know how your recipes turn out!! 🙂

      Reply

  • Tedi Vassileva
    January 3, 2017

    Hi Natasha, regards from Toronto!
    I love deserts with mousse and gelatin, this is how I found you on YouTube.
    You recipes look easy, yummy and well explain, and I have started cooking them one by one.
    Wishing you success in your food discovery!
    Blessings,

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 3, 2017

      Thank you so much Tedi! 🙂

      Reply

  • Alena
    January 2, 2017

    Hi Natasha! I’m a big fan of your site. You are so creative!!! Your recipes are so tasty, everyone of them. Just yesterday I made your shrimp avocado salad. It was a huge hit with my family.
    I understand you live in Idaho. How do you like living there? Where about do you live (general area)?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 2, 2017

      Hi Alena, I’m so glad you like the recipes!! Yes we live in Idaho and we love it here. We are in the treasure valley – the hub and center of Idaho. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else 🙂

      Reply

  • Linda Bergman
    December 23, 2016

    Hi Natasha
    I, too, am a devout Christian, (Catholic). After my husband passed away(8 yrs ago) I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. I joined the Carmelite Order. I do a lot of praying every day and Mass and Holy Communion ever day. God is my life. I just joined your website and I am looking forward to blogging with you. Love and Peace, Linda

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 23, 2016

      Welcome to the site Linda, I hope you’ll find lots of new recipes here 😬. That is great that God is your life. Blessings to you on this Christmas and the New Year!

      Reply

  • Carol Redlinger
    December 19, 2016

    Hi Natasha, I found your blog while searching for a special cake recipe. Your Strawberry Layer Cake is perfect for my sister and brother-in-law’s anniversary dinner on Wednesday. I have a question: I plan to make the smaller cake and will use the 9×13 recipe. Do I make two batches with 6 eggs for each layer or one batch of 6 eggs and divide it between two pans?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 19, 2016

      Hi Carol, I’m not sure I understand – are you making 2 smaller cakes with 6 eggs each? The stand mixer won’t whip enough air into the eggs if you try to put more than 6 eggs in at once – this is why I mix the 9×13 cake layers separately (6 eggs at a time). If you are making 2 smaller cakes (6 eggs total for each cake), I would recommending following the instructions on this cake recipe (the round smaller version of the strawberry layer cake). I hope I understood your question the way you intended it.

      Reply

  • Tibor Bosnyak
    December 17, 2016

    Today I watched you make a cake 6 or 7 layers baked on only parchment paper two layers at a timee. you baked it only 10 minuets, and rolled out the cakes with a rolling pin! !
    I could not save this wonderful recipe as I had to work till now and now it is gone… I don’t remember what it is called eaither… it so reminded me of my native “Dobos Torte” as I am Hungarian. Could you be so kind as to send me a link to your fabulas torte

    Reply

    • Tibor Bosnyak
      December 17, 2016

      I have never seen a cook like you are! (chef) you’re amazing and I love your whole family! Please help me find your cake… One thing is that you made a simple cream cheese frosting and put it in the fridge, for Ten hours.
      I so hope you will help me so I can make it for my wife and brother too for this Christmas.

      Reply

  • Iryna
    December 15, 2016

    Hi Natasha from fellow Ukrainian!
    You have a lovely blog and it’s nice to see people from all over the US enjoying our traditional recipes!I
    I’m also a food blogger, but my blog is relatively new. With 2 little kids, I don’t have much time to devote to it, but when I do work on my blog, I enjoy every second of it. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to blog just like you full time.
    Keep up the good work!:)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 15, 2016

      Thank you Iryna and I look forward to exploring your blog and seeing all the yummy things you post! 🙂

      Reply

  • Ruth Anne
    December 14, 2016

    Hi, great site! I just made your candied walnuts, and they were delicious! I also tried to pin the recipe to my Pinterest board. But no luck. Am I doing something wrong? Looking forward to trying more of your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 14, 2016

      Hi Ruth, thank you so much for the great review!! Where were you trying to pin from? Here is a good link for the pin: click here

      Reply

  • Alex Y.
    December 11, 2016

    Hi Natasha! So happy to discover your wonderful site (after a link on FB from a friend of mine). The presentation of your recipes is fantastic – I am sure my wife and I will be busy trying most of them over time, as I already have a long list of favorites. Thank you for ‘adapting’ traditional Russian and Ukrainian recipes to American ingredients. All the best to you and your family!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 12, 2016

      Thank you so much! I’m so happy you discovered our blog. Welcome! 🙂

      Reply

      • Lori
        December 16, 2016

        Hi Natasha,
        I’m so glad I found you…. I’m looking for an EASTER BREAD my Aunt always made. She’d bake it in coffee cans. It was nice and yellow and it was the most delicious Bread we’ve ever eaten.
        would you have that recipe?

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          December 16, 2016

          Lori, click HERE to view the recipe for the Easter Bread and you can use these paper molds as an alternative to coffee cans, plus they look adorable. Let me know if that helps and welcome to the blog.

          Reply

  • Kelly
    December 7, 2016

    Hello from Ontario Canada. Found your blog and can’t wait to try some of these recipes. Thank you for sharing what you know, we appreciate you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 7, 2016

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I appreciate you as well! 🙂 I hope you love everything you try! 🙂

      Reply

  • Jodi
    December 6, 2016

    I am so excited to follow your blog and try many recipes! My husband and I are in the process of adopting two children from Ukraine, and someone recommended that I check out your blog to find Ukrainian recipes. 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 6, 2016

      That is so wonderful! God bless you for adopting two children! I hope the adoption process goes smoothly and as quickly as possible. Thank you for sharing that with me and I hope you find many new favorite recipes here that your whole family will love 🙂

      Reply

  • Christabel
    December 5, 2016

    Hi Natasha,

    I chance upon your blog when i was googling for avocado spread recipes, and i like your easy to read and apply formats for a first timer like myself!

    Your blog is easy to navigate and organized by categories, thank you for sharing it with the world!

    Much love from Singapore!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 6, 2016

      Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and welcome to my blog!! 🙂 Hello from Idaho!!

      Reply

  • Danni
    November 30, 2016

    Thank you for putting together such a great site and sharing your delicious recipes. I’ve been fixing your meals for several months now and haven’t been disappointed yet. I also just noticed that you and your family live in Idaho–we’ve been in the Wood River Valley for the past 13 years. Happy holidays!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 30, 2016

      I’m so happy to hear that!! Yes, we do live in the Treasure Valley, Idaho since ’99 :). We just love it here! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Years!! 🙂

      Reply

  • Nerida
    November 28, 2016

    Lovely recipes

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 28, 2016

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply

  • Jill
    November 24, 2016

    We adopted our daughter from Ukraine 3 years ago this past week. (She is now 13.) Every year on our “family anniversary” I make a big Ukrainian meal using recipes from your website. Thank you very much for your delicious recipes. It makes Ukraine feel a little closer for all of us.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 24, 2016

      That is so sweet! Thank you for sharing that with us 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

      Reply

  • Malvina O
    November 23, 2016

    Hello Natasha,

    I’ve heard about your website through my mom and I must say I’m glad I did because your recipes are amazing. Keep up your great work and be blessed to you and your family 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 23, 2016

      Welcome to the site Malian and thank you for such a nice compliment 😊. Blessings to you and your family as well.

      Reply

  • Martha Nejad
    November 22, 2016

    Hello, I just found out your webpage. Love it so far.

    Blessings for you and your family.

    Martha N.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 22, 2016

      Welcome to the site Martha, I hope you’ll find many new favorites here and blessings to you and your family as well 😁.

      Reply

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