Bizarre Russian Foods

[peacetraveler22]

Remember my post about the Ukrainian market? I wrote there that I love food and my position hasn't changed. In America, we're getting ready to enter the most delicious time of year. We'll celebrate Christmas in less than two weeks. For my family, this means big gatherings and feasts. I can't really say I love Russian food. During my visits I tried some local cuisine, but didn't like most of it. I'm a very picky eater, not liking fish, seafood or a lot of meat. Recently on a popular U.S. website there was an article entitled "17 Bizarre Foods Every Russian Grew Up With." Maybe you'll find it amusing. I picked the most interesting dishes from the list and I've tasted a lot of the items. For me, the most disgusting delicacies are all the food molds stuffed with meats, herring and other treats. Like this photo, where the dish is called "herring under fur coat." :)

1. Olivye salad. I tasted this last New Year's eve. I don't like mayonnaise, so I can't eat it. I never put dressing on anything, or even ketchup, mustard or other condiments. I eat most things plain.



2. Salo. I think this is now more closely associated with Ukraine. I tasted it in Kyiv - ah, chewy fat! Not to my liking. I eat a lot of chicken and steak and all fat must be trimmed. I know some people enjoy this part of the meat but it gags me.



3. Kvas. You can easily find this in America, but the taste is too strong for me. During my recent trip to Russia, I tasted birch beer for the first time. Delicious and lighter!



4. Kompot. This drink I really like! I've had it in several Russian cafes, including Cafe Mu-Mu where I tasted it for the first time. Similar to American fruit punch, but more tasty with the real fruit thrown in.



5. Varenyky. Is this common in modern day Russia? I remember it being the national dish in Ukraine, available everywhere with a wide variety of stuffing like meat, potatoes and sweet fruits.



6. Kishka. Never tasted it and there's too much meat involved!! I doubt I would like it. Maybe I'll be brave next time and take a bite.



7. Blini w/Caviar. I can't eat it though I tried during a New Year's eve celebration last year with a Russian family. Too salty, and I don't like the strong fishy taste.



8. Kholodets. This is the most interesting dish! I remember at the holidays seeing all kinds of creative molds made out of swans, birds, animals, etc. Very strange and funny. :) During Valentine's Day, maybe they produce heart shaped molds? I also ate a version of this at Cafe Mu-Mu and didn't like it. The jelly texture is odd and the minced meat wasn't very good quality.



9. Herring, mayo and pickle sandwich. When we were completely drunk at the seedy St. Petersburg vodka bar, the guys tried to get me to eat this as a snack. I refused and ate cheese and crackers instead. This thick brown bread would have been much better to soak up the poison!! Perhaps this is why I needed help walking home at the end of the night! :) Pickles - I hate this food more than any other!



10. No words for this photo! :))



11. In Russia, I'm completely addicted to the sweets and candies. This is my favorite. Each time I visit, my host always has a bunch in the refrigerator and I eat these bars daily. Delicious!



What's your favorite national dish?

Also, I wonder whether it's interesting to readers if I write about how an average American family celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas? I can take photos and write about my family celebrations if it's an interesting topic? What do you think? Vote below please.

Comments

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

I only read about the Russian cuisine in the classical Russian literature of which I did not read much.

My impression is that the most significant meals were -
* perogi, many various and sophisticated kinds
* borsht

To my surprise, the way they serve food in the restaurants by courses is called le service russe. The haphazard way that was typical for the 19th century in America is called le service anglais. I do not quite understand it, but le service anglais reminds me of the buffets.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

When was the last time you were in Russia? You never visit? Buffets are good! Many great ones here in the DC area, high quality food with lots of options. And, of course, all you can eat. The American way. :)

[olgor.livejournal.com]

Selyodka pod shuboi!
Mmmm, yummy!!!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Are there Russian markets in Buffalo? In the DC area, there are several so you can easily find comfort food from Russia if you wish.

[luin-nsk.livejournal.com]

My knowledge about American cuisine is based mainly on Rex Stout's novels, so I'll be very grateful if you'll find a spare time and write a post about it:)
As for my favorite russian dish... Well, the top place in the chart is occupied by "perogi", as an earlier commentator called it:) Stuffed with boiled eggs and onion/cabbage, or meat, or mashed potatoes, or... You name it:)
Several words on posted photos.
#1 - a popular "cranberry"-sort joke about Russian customs: to get drunk at a New Year's eve and fall asleep in a can with olivier salad:) Also, though mayo is a canonical dressing, you can use a sour cream instead, or mix a sour cream with mayo.
#7 - generally "blini" are much thinner and larger in diameter. Yes, you can eat it as they are, or stuff it with whatever you like, from meat to fruit jam
#9 - the comment above in which this horror was called "nyamka" hits the bulleye. It's not meal at all:)
#10 - it looks like a fake:) Never seen THAT even in 90's, and in that time you could find in a tins almost everything, even accidentally cooked cockroaches :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I like any type of dough stuffed with potatoes, cheese or vegetables, but not meat. Number 10 - oh, it's a real horror! :)) I can't imagine anyone eating the food in this can. I'm still confused why Russian shops sell the type of small fish in the below photo. Do you eat the whole thing, eyeballs and all??

Ошибки быть не может.

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

After studying the menu, I realized two things:
1) Inamora, in the future, will have to unsubscribe from eating caviar, because I don't encourage extravagance.
2) Now you will attain the ideal Russian dish of your dreams. Ready? That's it.
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-easy-homemade-sauerkraut-in-a-mason-jar-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-193124
You don't have to thank me now. I know you're happy and busy now. You chop the cabbage and prepare other ingredients to start a wonderful chemical process...

Re: Ошибки быть не может.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sauerkraut!! We eat this in the U.S., it's very common to put it on top of hot dogs. I strongly dislike it! I told you I'm a plain eater and this "fermented" taste is too much for me. Julia is used to being pampered, living a high-class lifestyle so it's no surprise she eats caviar for breakfast. I'm simple folk and more low maintenance. :)

[hebrus.livejournal.com]

#2 is rather Ukrainian, #6 is rather Polish, I guess... :)
#10 looks like nonsense... ("Atlantic" what?)

Aspic (#8) is old European dish, mentioned by Dumas, for example... according to Wiki, aspic presence in French cuisine tracks back to 14th century: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspic

If Americans nowadays prefer "Chinese food" (its americanized version, to be precise), and have forsaken old good European tradition... bizzare Russian food, you don't say... :)))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Personally, I don't like Chinese food although it's very popular in the U.S. Really, it's difficult to say what "American" food is. We eat everything on a consistent basis - Chinese, Mexican, Italian, etc. I think burgers and steak are classic American foods.

[vitsky.livejournal.com]

Did you try 'draniki'? http://www.belarusianfood.com/2009/05/draniki.html
Very popular food in Belarus and Ukraine (and, I suppose in Russia too), made of potatoes.

And 'grechka' (or 'grechnevaya kasha') - a buckwheat porridge. Very popular in Russia and ex-USSR, and almost not known in the rest of the world.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, no I didn't try it. As you know, my stop in Belarus was very short due to the border drama. :)

[shpak-kk.livejournal.com]

современные русские люди редко едят эту гадость. кроме..кваса..наверное.

кроме..кваса..наверное.

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Ем редко, но мечтаю о ней непрерывно. Зов предков и голос крови, что поделать.

[whiteeye.livejournal.com]

I didn't doubt that foreigner wouldn't understand and like traditional russian food.

I don't like most of mentioned food either. Herring, caviar, holodets, vinegret, kishka, kvas, salo, okroshka. Olivye I can eat but it doesn't happen often.
Blini - did you eat without caviar? With jam or sour cream? It's tasty;)

Vareniki with cherry is very delicious!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

No, caviar was the only option at my gathering. I would definitely like it with jams. :) What did you eat in America?

[enika-benika.livejournal.com]

LOL! You just made my day. I didn't laugh this hard since... forever! :)
I love most of the Russian foods. And I can't really understand all this American "delicacies" like hamburgers and hot dogs. Well, not as a day by day meal anyway.
So, if you will write about your holidays, please show us all the traditional American festive food that you like.
Thanks!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed the post! Only one person in the poll voted "no" to my question, so I'll write about the holidays and all of our traditional foods. My family likes to eat. :)

[erik shindler (from livejournal.com)]

Shannon, better tell us about most popular american food, some may not be truely american like pizza but anyway.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I will write about our Thanksgiving feast, there you will see some of our foods. I think I'll also start taking photos when I go to the grocery store and eat meals at restaurants. This topic is of great interest to many readers. :)

[jack-cracker29.livejournal.com]

Y’all up on East Coast have no clue what good food is other than maybe pizza or cheesesteak… living in NYC I got that and breakfast bagel food loved by the Jews and the Italians making up most of populace ;)
With all seeming variety there you can’t even find a semi decent Southern ribs, Cajun, Cal-Mex leave alone Tex-Mex…
You gotta try all that. Good crawfish ettoufe, chilly, jambolaya, smoked brisket or ribs and whatnot for real American cuisine…
I gather there are ton of sushi places and that’s good but other than that y’all have mostly chains where food is so bland. It all tastes like Russian food ;) The Outbacks, Ruby Tues TGIFs, they’re all the same.
DC & NYC have some really good haute-cuisine places but you gotta be able to spend a downpayment. All the Nobu, Megu ‘n whatnot can’t remember now… food’s awesome but two spending $400 for food and a martini ea for a modest dinner before tip and tax… a bit beyond regular Joe’s (or Boris and Natasha’s) pay.

BTW, have you seen piece in Times and Time mag about American ballet dancer from Bolshoi in Moscow quitting for apparently being ‘encouraged’ to have sex and pay bribes to advance her career… We need to introduce this in States… women’ careers would be advancing much faster than any Bill of Rights could legislate ;)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Outback is delicious! You really notice that much of a difference between a steak there and a place like Morton's or Ruth's Chris where you pay quadruple the price and don't even get a damn baked potato? :)) I don't. There are lots of high-class restaurants in DC and even some famous world chefs working here, but I never go to fancy places like that. I'd rather spend extra money on other things, like travel!! Tex-Mex is good, I had it in Dallas but the versions here aren't as good.

I didn't see that article about the Bolshoi ballerina, but you know American women do this as well, only voluntarily. :) Use their sexual charms and good looks to advance in the workplace, a common occurrence everywhere. Bribery - part of the motherland's national identity. :))

[duradulova.livejournal.com]

Kishka is not Russian. They eat kishka in Belarus and Ukraine.
And you do not have blini on that photo. It is another food - oladyi. Similar to blini but smaller in diameter and thicker.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I was just summarizing the article, the photos aren't mine. But thanks for the clarification. :))

[k-netalie.livejournal.com]

i don't like mayonnaise too, so i usually replace it with sour cream. as for salo i've heard that 17 gramms of it (a day?) is even healthy)) kvas is really tasty for me but home made only. varenyky - i love them! especially with curd (or you call it cheese?) and finally the one and the only, my favourite dish - kholodets (but made of birds only)! i coock it every holiday))
but seriously, it's really sooo interesting to read about such everyday things as food. thanks!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sour cream is delicious! I like it a lot, especially on Mexican food which I know isn't very popular with Russians but Americans love it. :) You make the kholodets in decorative shapes, or you were just kidding? If so, please send me a photo of one of your designs next time you make this delicacy. :))

[yacc11.livejournal.com]

About Olivye salad... You can easily change mayonnaise to a sour cream :) And about a Caviar - the most popular for russians is a bread and butter with a Caviar. Only people from Far East can understand what means 'puree with Caviar' :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Have you ever traveled to America?

[rider3099.livejournal.com]

I like the duck which was baked in the oven with apples. But it seems to me that it is not russian or ukrainian dish :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Duck! I do not like it. :) I prefer white meat over dark meat, and duck is only dark. At least I think so, maybe I'm wrong?

[orlengos.livejournal.com]

А!!
Сырок любимый глазированный!
Лучший в мире на века. На завтрак.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Привет! Вы говорите по-английски?

[skdm.livejournal.com]

კომენტარი პირველმა

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hello! This is Georgian script?

[zabriski.livejournal.com]

There is no Russian food named KISHKA!! No such thing!

And whatever there is in a can - it's fake.

:) or :( - I can't decide

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

This would explain why I didn't see it in Russia. :) I think it's similar to "blood sausage," which people eat in the States. But not me!!

[rollson.livejournal.com]

I am from Ukraine but like only caviar with pancakes and rye bread with fish.
also Ukrainian ice cream and sweets are great.
Which one is your favorite American food?

I don't have any )
Hamburgers and fries are so heavy..
Candys is horrible//
aaa what else )?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes! I also like Ukrainian sweets. Look at my post about the Ukrainian market and Ukrainian village in Chicago. :) I've been to Kyiv and Uman. http://peacetraveler22.livejournal.com/17063.html

[formalist.livejournal.com]

Ваши формулировки (лексика и синтаксис) выдают в Вас русскую.
... и ещё, я таки думаю, что не Olivye, а Olivier. ;)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm 100% American! But many have accused me of being a Soviet English teacher! :))

[tabarhsak.livejournal.com]

First you have to drink a glass of vodka, and then eat the fat, drink the second Cup of vodka and eat aspic, and glass break on the forehead, play the balalaika and drink a bottle of vodka from the bottle.
And balalaika kill a bear.
Then undress naked sleep in the snow, and when you Wake up then some for tomorrow drink another bottle of vodka, and to break two accordion.
And for the amusement of the soul beat his wife with a billet. She was glad, beats it means love. Come visit me and I give you and возжами выпорю in the hayloft!)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

:))) I love vodka!

[orion-5.livejournal.com]

Hi, Shannon.
What do you think about these Russian soups: "щи" and "борщ"?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hello! I've never eaten щи (Shchi?) but борщ is okay. I'm not a big fan of beets, so the taste of this soup isn't so pleasing to me. I like vegetarian soups mostly, although a hearty meat stew is sometimes good on a cold winter evening. :)

[anna-sollanna.livejournal.com]

Kishka - very weird dish! I have never known about it before. Maybe under 'kishka' they meant home made sausage?
> Blini w/Caviar.
In the picture there are not bliny, but their shorter form - olad'yi.
As for kholodets - I have never tried a bought kholodets that was really good. But home made... mmm... yum-yum...
Yes, it would be great to read about your usual Thanksgiving and Christmas meal and celebration! I remember watching Thanksgiving episode of 'The Carrie Diaries' and after that I spent many hours reading about American cuisine and Thanksgiving dished especially, but I still can't say I have a comprehensive image of it in my mind. :)))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't know this show "The Carrie Diaries." Thanksgiving in America is wonderful! I will write about it and show everyone the traditional foods eaten at the feast. Kishka, I think it's more commonly called blood sausage. It looks really disgusting, and any food with "blood" in the name isn't appealing to me. :)

[irkut.livejournal.com]

Байкальский омуль: холодного копчения, вяленый, малосольный, горячего копчения, расколотка (свежемороженый и отбитый обухом топора, с чёрным перцем и солью), на костре на рожнах. Тала - свежемороженая осетрина, порезанная брусочками с чёрным перцем, луком, солью и уксусом - отличная закуска к водке. Естественно, бутерброды и блины с красной и чёрной икрой по утрам с кофе или чаем. Строганина из свежемороженой печени или мяса оленя с чёрным перцем и солью. Звериное мясо холодного копчения. Сибирские пельмени из нескольких сортов мяса и медвежатиной. Грибы: солёные, маринованные, жареные с картошкой. Отварной картофель с селёдкой, сливочным маслом, луком, петрушкой и тремя рюмками водочки. Горячий и очень крепкий чай с молоком (по-бурятски добавляется кусочек сливочного масла и немного соли). Не пугайтесь, Шеннон - это далеко не повседневные блюда русского человека. Ещё много чего существует вкусного в разных частях нашей страны.
Baikal cisco: cold smoked, slightly dried, mild-cured, hot smoked, raskolotka (fresh frozen and batted butt an ax, with black pepper and salt) on the fire on a spit. Tala - fresh frozen sturgeon, cut into cubes with black pepper, onion, salt and vinegar - a great snack to vodka. Naturally, sandwiches and pancakes with red and black caviar in the morning with coffee or tea. Stroganina - sliced ​​meat shavings from frozen liver or venison with black pepper and salt. Meat of wild animals, cold-smoked. Siberian dumplings made ​​from several types of meat and bear meat . Salted, pickled, fried mushrooms with roasted potatoes. A boiled potato with herring, butter, onion, parsley and with three glasses vodochka. Hot and very strong tea with milk (in Buryat added a piece of butter and a little salt). Do not worry, Shannon - this is not an everyday meals Russian man. And there is many more which delicious in different parts of our country.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Too much fish!! :)) I don't like any seafood. We ate wild turkey meat on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Shot by a bow and arrow near my hometown.

[margarita-nik.livejournal.com]

well .. now it is difficult to name any national food dishes)) used to say, soup and porridge - our food. but it was a long time and tastes znachitelno changed. For example, I love pasta, soups, fries, chicken in various embodiments, grilled meat, and in general all different and yummy))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I like all pastas and cheeses! :))