Spring is about bright colors, and tasty combinations of fresh ingredients.It's about renewal and rebirth, especially when it comes to healthy eating. Especially when in many parts of the world fresh vegetables are just now appearing after a long winter break. Fresh, crisp, crunchy, juicy and delectable are just a few of the adjectives that describe [...]
Draniki are considered to be a Belarusian dish, although they are an integral part of Russian and Ukrainian culinary traditions. The etymology of the word gives us a hint of how Draniki were cooked originally. No graters or blenders existed at the time the dish was invented, so potatoes were ground with the use of [...]
On hot summer days we prefer light, refreshing appetizers, drinks and, of course, salads. Salads as we know them now appeared in Russian cuisine only in the middle of the 19th century. Marinated and pickled vegetables were accompanied by fresh vegetable appetizers with a dressing. Before that, only meat dishes were served with a dressing. Since Soviet times to present days [...]
Summer brings a lot of changes to one’s life no matter whether you spend this time in a stuffy office or in countryside. Summer also colors your diet with new flavors. So, it is important not to waste a moment and try all seasonal dishes. Summer food is lighter as it includes many vegetables and [...]
With the coming of spring the season of cold soups begins. Perhaps, every country has its own recipe of cold soup which in summer heat serves more as a tonic than food: Tarator in Bulgaria, gazpacho in Spain, soup from sour cherry in Hungary, Ukrainian beet soup. In Russia the most popular cold soup is [...]
The arrival of spring is felt distinctly when young potato appears on the counters. It is so good when boiled to perfect crumbly condition, seasoned with butter and garnished with dill. But these young potatoes are most delicious when combined with rye bread and squash caviar. This simple, traditional blend of flavors is reminiscent of [...]
Vinaigrette is a classic Russian beet salad. Featuring root vegetables like beets and potatoes, sauerkraut is the real star of this salad. Dressed with simple olive (or sunflower oil) vinaigrette is a simple and colorful dish that should be enjoyed all year long. Many people believe that this colorful salad with a beautiful name is [...]
Traditions of the Great Lent originate from ancient Orthodox Christians. Also known as the Great Fast, the Great Lent is a time of physical cleansing and spiritual introspection. Observers adhere to abstinence from certain foods and indulgences for over 40 days. Bringing the physical and spiritual into balance through fasting, prayer, and repentance, the Great [...]
Fall is more than just changing foliage, pumpkins and cool weather. It’s a time for pickling and brining. In Russia, pickling and brining fresh produce is a culinary art and deeply rooted tradition. The reason is simple: its the easiest way to add a daily dose of fruits and veggies during the long and notoriously harsh [...]
Summer is a wonderful time to try fresh garden variety root vegetables including beets, carrots, radishes and many more. Beets in particular are rich in vitamins and are a valuable source of natural fiber. Dating back to the era of ancient Rome, beets have become indispensable in Russian cuisine. From borscht to “seledka pod shuboi”, beets [...]
Zucchini fritters are unbelievably easy to make, nutritious, low in calories, and a delicious way to enjoy summer vegetables. Popular in Russian cuisine, as well as in many other Eastern European regions — zucchini fritters (оладьи из кабачков) are not native to these parts of the world. Ingredients: In fact, these culinary [...]
The Great Lent is a 40 day spiritual preparation for Pascha (Easter) marked by reflection, personal improvement, repentance and fasting. Much like the Greeks and other Eastern European cultures, Russian Orthodox Christians begin observing Great Lent on “clean Monday”, a time to cleanse and purify everything from the clothes we wear, the pots and pans we [...]
