Hello, I am so happy you stumbled upon my blog. I am Julia Frey, a London based recipe developer and photographer, and Vikalinka is my space to share my food with the world.
So much of my life is taken up by cooking, due to hungry children and husband, and you will become witnesses to my culinary endeavours if you choose to stay around.
What do you do besides writing for Vikalinka?
I used be an English teacher but since 2017 Vikalinka has become my full time job. Outside of my passion for cooking I enjoy spending time with my husband and my two sweet, funny and incredibly creative children. Travel is something we enjoy as a family. We love to explore Europe or visiting families in Canada and Russia, at which point Vikalinka turns into a travel blog.
Why “Vikalinka”?
I agonised over the blog name for ages – to name a blog is as difficult as naming your firstborn. What I really wanted is for my blog name to reflect my Russian roots but also to be simple and memorable. My daughter’s name is Victoria, or Vika for short in Russian. My husband often calls her Vikalinka, it’s a made-up word but we love it so it became the name of my blog.
Why did you start blogging?
I started Vikalinka in 2012 because I wanted to record my recipes for my children to use in the future. I very quickly realized that when I am blogging I am in my most creative state. I love pushing that side of myself and constantly find that creativity has no limits.
Over the years Vikalinka has grown far more than I could have imagined. Hearing from people all over the world making my recipes and seeing pictures of their own creations gives me the inspiration to create even more!
It’s been thrilling to have my recipes and photography featured in global publications and to work with major European and American brands, including the leading supermarkets in the UK. A short list includes Sainsburys, Bertolli, Old El Paso, Splenda, and many others.
Where did you learn to cook?
I’ve been cooking for as long as I remember. Being raised in a family of excellent cooks the only option I had was to dive into the culinary world myself. By the time I was 13 I was often responsible for cooking dinners, which I enjoyed immensely even if I loved baking even more!
I had the chance to learn in a professional kitchen while at university and for a time after graduation. This experience expanded my repertoire and allowed me to learn from some incredible cooks. This training taught me new techniques, helped me perfect the ones I had, and helped me to learn such important things as building flavours in a dish.
I’ve also had the opportunity to travel extensively, trying a wide range of cuisines, learning from locals in their own kitchen, and taking cooking courses in Italy, France and the UK. This experience is why the food on this site is so diverse, including some of my favourites from countries like Italy, France, Spain, Mexico and the Philippines.
I still love to learn and take in as much new information as I can through reading or visiting restaurants. The food world is massive, with something new or old always waiting to be discovered. I’m thrilled to be a part of it!
How would you describe your cooking style?
I am definitely drawn to European style of eating which is unapologetically REAL, seasonal and understated. No “triple” or “jumbo” anything here. I believe in starting with fresh, beautiful ingredients and building a great dish from there.
I cook what inspires me and what is loved by my family and hopefully it will also inspire you and will become your family’s favourite.
Please visit often, get inspired and comment, comment, comment!
To learn more about me read my interview with Food Bloggers of Canada , a podcast on Makers and Mystics, where we discuss The Art of Food and Behind the scenes with Vikalinka.
Photo Credit: NoemiPhotography
Vikalinka was featured on…
Neal says
I am commenting on the YELLOW PLUM AND BLUEBERRY GALETTE. I’m assuming the plums you have used in your recipe are much smaller than the plums available here in California. The 15 yellow plums, that you have called for, here is about 4 1/2 pounds of plums and if I were to use more than 7 or 8 of these plums, the pie shell would be way over flowing! I also cut the plums in quarters instead of half because of the size.
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Hi Neal, I guess so but any fruit or vegetable in the US is double the size anywhere else in the world!! 🙂
Cole Tyler says
Outstanding recipes Julia have cooked 3 so far: Chicken with mushroom risotto, Chicken Chasseur & Coq Au Vin shared them with others via my wife’s online food business and the feedback has been amazing. Can’t wait to try others.
Regards Cole
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
So happy to hear it, Cole! Thank you for sharing your experience with me!
Cole Tyler says
And as you like to hear from people from all over, I am from the UK and moved to Bulgaria 6 year’s ago. The Bulgarians also are enjoying your recipes, we haven’t the heart to inform them it’s French cuisine not British lol
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Love this!! 🙂
Randolph says
Julia,
I made your Russian Blini recipe and the appearance and texture were fine, but not the flavor.
I noticed in your notes to add a “pinch” of baking soda, however, your recipe says “0.5 tsp”, which I did — because the recipe said it.
We ate one or two, but threw the rest in the trash because they were just sour tasting from the soda. Surely you didn’t mean .05 tsp, did you?
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Hi Randolph, the recipe works as written. You can see from numerous comments you are not the first one to attempt it. Just to clarify, 0.5 tsp of baking soda will not make your blini sour but buttermilk, that’s gone off will, in fact dairy, past its expiration date, is the only ingredient that will contribute to the sour taste. I have removed your star rating as you commented on my About page, that has nothing to do with that particular recipe.
Janet Morgan says
Hi Julia
I just finished making your spelt bread and it came out lovely…
Thank you so much for the recipe..look forward to making it again..
Janet.
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
I am so pleased to hear it, Janet!! I love baking with spelt so much, delicious flavour!
Sophie says
Hello,
I’m looking at your beef Stroganoff recipe and wondering whether I could add some porcini and white truffle paste to the sauce? What do you think? I have this delicious paste lurking in my fridge and want to find good ways of using it.
Thanks for your help with this – and for your recipes!
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Oh that sounds incredibly delicious to me, Sophie. I actually have a recipe for Beef in Truffled Cream Sauce.
Sophie says
Thanks, Julia. I did it last night and it worked really well. I used it instead of the mustard and served the whole thing, as you suggested, with some pickles on the side for sharpness – sweet pickled red cabbage and some of the hot Turkish guindillas. Will definitely try your truffled beef soon!
Sophie
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
So happy you loved it, Sophie.
Lucy D says
This is such a fabulous dish, really easy to follow. Its the first day of Covid lockdown here tonight, I live on my own and i just wanted to try something new, satisfying and hearty and I just stumbled on this recipe by chance.
I sent pictures of it to my friends and they are all suitably jealous!
Very tasty. I will be looking at other dishes on your website to try.
Lucy D says
I ‘ve just realised I’ve posted my comment on your ‘about me’ page.. apologies.. My comments refer to the cock au vin blanc..
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
No problem, thank you for clarifying! 🙂
Kimberly Quenan says
My husband and I are empty nesters now and stepping out of our comfort zone with different dinners. So I decided to try this recipe. I followed your instructions and it came out awesome. I was nervous at first but after everything cooked down it was delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
SO glad to hear it, Kimberly! What recipe did you try?
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Welcome to my website, Lucy!! 🙂
Valerie Thomas says
Hello. Soup recipe sounds wonderful but I don’t understand the 2/2 reference to the amount of broth. Please clarify. Thank you
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Hi Valerie, what soup recipe are you referring to? I have no way of knowing as you commented on About Me page.
Shary says
Hi Julia. I’ve been cooking for many years, and I can usually tell if a recipe will be a keeper just by reading the list of ingredients. Your recipes never disappoint. Thanks in particular for listing American measurements as well as British ones. I’ve converted a few recipes over the years, but it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth and very easy to make mistakes. I love it that most of your recipes don’t require that.
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
What a sweet comment, Shary! Thank you so much for following along and cooking my recipes! 😃
Nancy says
I found your 5 minute ravioli sauce on pinterest — I work full time—almost retired (next year!) and wanted a delicious quicky dinner. I had no ravioli so I cooked pasta instead—sautéed some shrimp and what a fabulous sauce!! I am Italian—I make many pasta dishes and have been cooking and baking for many years—this is a keeper!!! I will be following you and trying many of your recipes!
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
What a great outcome, Nancy!! I am thrilled you enjoyed it this much and I hope you will love my other recipes as well.
Geetha Thomas says
Tried it tonight and let me tell you it’s absolutely delicious. Served with broccoli and grilled bread. Definitely will make it again.
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
That great, Geetha! What dish did you try?
Susie says
I tried your chicken recipe tonight – with Dijon, white wine and cream – it was incredibly delicious and simple to make. Everyone here voted it best Pinterest recipe we’ve tried yet (and we’ve tried a lot)! Will definitely look for more of your recipes. We will enjoy this one time and again. Many thanks from new friends in the states!
Nichole says
Hey girl!
Your blog is great! I stumbled upon it looking for an authentic Stroganoff recipe. I just made it and absolutely loved it! It was served over buttery homemade mashed potatoes. I love that you prefer a European-style of cooking as well. I’m so grateful that you’ve decided to follow your passion and share with the world. I’m going to thoroughly enjoy my new cooking journey with your help : )
vikalinka says
Thanks so much, Nichole! Welcome to Vikalinka!
Lianna says
Wow! I am just now stumbling upon your page. I googled medovik and found your cake and I cant wait to try it out! Love your ABOUT ME 🙂 Keep it up! Cant wait to try your recipes.
vikalinka says
Thanks so much and welcome to Vikalinka, Lianna!
Cate says
I just have to say, whenever I need a good recipe, I typically open Pinterest and the past several times I’ve done so, I’ve found one of yours and been really pleased with the results! I’ve since bookmarked your blog! So, thank you! I’ve wowed my husband and my friends with first time dishes that were easy and high impact!
What are your favourite places to eat in London? My husband and I live in Harrow and are always on the lookout for delicious food!
vikalinka says
Thanks so much, Cate! What a lovely comment! I am so pleased to hear you’ve had success with my recipes. I have a Pinterest board of my favourite restaurants. Some of them are still on my list to visit but many are the ones that my husband and I love and visit often! There is a good mix of formal and casual there! I also add to it constantly. https://www.pinterest.com/juliavfrey/restaurants/ I hope some of them will appeal. Best, Julia
Natasha says
I just made your blini recipe in Rome for my three children and partner! With kefir bought in an Ukrainian store. The kefir in the Italian stores doesn’t work as well for some reason. With raspberry jam and smetana! Thank you! My partner was happy as I usually make American pancakes with maple syrup which he doesn’t like. Merci! Grazie! Спасибо! Thanks.
vikalinka says
You are very welcome! So happy they turned out for you, Natasha! Maybe be kefir in Italian stores doesn’t have live culture, which is what gives blini a bit of a rise and lacy texture.
Little Cooking Tips says
We discovered your blog through Pinterest, saw your amazing work (an inspiration to us all) and just wanted to express our gratitude for your fantastic recipes and our admiration.
Thank you for making the blogging world richer.
Mirella and Panos
vikalinka says
Thank you so much, Mirella and Panos. What a sweet comment that definitely made my day!!
Christine says
Hi! I found you through PoppylovesLondon and I am so glad that I did! Love your ethos on food as I feel the same as well. Raising my children on real food was a no brainer for me. Now as teenage women they cook and will eat just about anything! Look forward to reading your blog.( Btw I live in Toronto but born in London and lived in Dublin for over a decade).
vikalinka says
Welcome to the blog, Christine. I am so glad you found me! Yes, nothing but real food. My kids don’t even like McDonald’s and I am so proud I was able to give them the palate that appreciates good food. Teaching them to cook is the next step although they are not far already!
PS. Love the London-Canada connection! 🙂
russianmartini says
I’m so jealous you live in London!! I’m obsessed with all things British. Maybe someday… love your flower head wreath – very Russian/Ukrainian. 🙂
Vikalinka says
Thank you :-). It wasn’t really the intention for it to look Russian/Ukrainian, it was actually shot in Paris but I agree it does look quite Ukrainian. I have a similar shot when I was 5, shot in Lvov, Ukraine.:-)
On Top Of Spaghetti says
Gorgeous blog! And your photos are amazing!
Vikalinka says
Thank you. You are so kind. 🙂
Vladislav says
Enjoying your blog, keep it up! Thank you!
Vikalinka says
Thank you for stopping by and your comment, Vladislav!
Vikalinka says
Thank you.
Gordana says
Dear Julia, warm greetings from Serbia, I simply love your blog and recipes and photos and your energy and everything! You’re awesome!
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