How “Russian” this recipe is I don’t know, but it’s one that has been given to my father by his friend and he’s been making it for as long as I can remember. Despite how it may seem, this cake is actually not overwhelmingly chocolate, the sour cream does a good job of bringing the [...]
Posts under ‘meat-less’
Russian Vinaigrette Salad
This one is a common dish in Eastern Europe but it is not at all what is known as “Vinaigrette” in the west. This is actually a variation of a potato salad with the addition of beets. Very popular in the former soviet states, and there are many variations of this from region to region. [...]
Meat Stuffed Blinchiki / Blintzes
Meat Stuffed Blinchiki / Blintzes (14) This is a very common dish most places in Eastern Europe but may be by different names. In the West, it is mostly known by its Polish name of “blintzes,” however the dish is essentially the same. It can be prepared with a wide variety of fillings, most commonly [...]
Kartoshka (Potato) Pastry – Rum Balls
This one is definitely not native to Russia but is quite popular there year round. I’ve only recently realized how easy these are to make and require absolutely no baking or prep work. Ingredients 1 package (~7oz) of sweet tea biscuits ½ cups of pecans or walnuts ½ cup cocoa ½ cup powdered sugar ¼ [...]
Polish Dill Pickles
This a polish recipe and I am sure there are native Russian variants of this recipe. In reality, a pickle is a pickle, and all of Eastern Europe eats the same thing. What you’ll need: dark green, hard cucumbers. If they are medium-large, cut off the ends mustard seed bay leaves unground black pepper fresh [...]
Russian Special Occasion Menu
My dad celebrated his 51st birthday just a little over a week ago and we had a few guests over at our house for dinner. I have tried to compile a list of all the essential dishes at the dinner including their recipes. They’re not as detailed as they usually would be, but I have [...]
Russian Spinach / Sorrel Soup – Schevel
This is a popular and very healthy soup in Russia that can be eaten either hot or cold and is quite popular in the summer. The soup is not actually made with spinach, in Russia it is made with Sorrel leaves, which are similar in texture but are sour. I’ve yet to find sorrel in [...]
Tvorog – Russian Cottage Cheese
Tvorog – Russian Cottage Cheese Tvorog is a very popular and nutritious dairy product that is very similar to western cottage cheese, though most Russians will swear by tvorog. Similarly to cottage cheese, this is an extremely easy cheese to make at home, and a lot cheaper. It is commonly used in a variety of [...]
Lekah – Jewish Honey Cake
This is a simple Russian recipe for a Jewish honey cake that my grandmother and aunt call “Lekah” though it’s hard to find any reference for that name online. Ingredients 1 cup honey 1 cup kefir (buttermilk) 1 cup sugar 3 eggs 3-4 cups flour 1 tsp baking soda + 0.25 cups vinegar Combine the [...]
Mannaya Kasha / Manka (Semolina porridge)
This dish is not necessarily native to Russia, but is definitely a favorite in most Eastern European countries. It usually eaten for breakfast in porridge form. The grain is commonly known as farina or “Cream of Wheat” in the United States. It is a coarse whitish-yellow grain that can be found in most ethnic food [...]