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

[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.

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

А что тебе нравится? Русские блюда тебе не нравятся. Китайские блюда тебе не нравятся. Американский фаст-фуд тебе не нравится. А что ты любишь? Рис и куринные грудки? Это очень противная и невкусная, сухая пища.
Или негритянские цыплята тебе тоже не нравятся? Мексиканская острая кухня? итальянская кухня?
Давай, пиши отдельный пост с картинками, что ты любишь. Ты слишком привередливая. Видимо ешь одни конфеты и пиццу. Смешно даже.
Ещё овсянку наверное, этот столярный клей. И индейку на День Благодарения, да?
Я думаю, ты питаешься одной американской пиццей. Это видно.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Negro chicken?!? :)) I think you need to read my racism post. I like Mexican, Italian, steak, lots of things. But, yes, I mostly eat grilled (not fried) chicken and vegetables because it's healthier. Sometimes pizza, sometimes pasta, and a lot of soup.

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

при чём здесь расизм?
Я знаю, что негры в США очень любят цыплят- это расизм? По отношению к цыплятам? Есть целые торговые сети подобной кухни.
И у русских называть негра негром- это не расизм. Расизм-это указывать на цвет кожи. Например назвать негра - "черный". Это настоящий расизм. Вы указываете на его отличие. А "негр"- это вроде национальности, так же как ирландец, француз или русский.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Most people in America like chicken, not just blacks. And this shitty fast food chain - KFC is also in Russia. I don't eat there.

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

Я тоже люблю цыплят. Я черный негр? Есть стереотип, что негры в США любят цыплят. При этом это американцы говорят сами. Я не вижу в этом расизма.
Я готовлю их сам, не доверяю сетям ресторана. Там всегда хуже, чем домашняя еда.
Но предпочитаю всё же мясо. Говядина, свинина, баранина.
Так будет пост об американской кухне? Которую ты любишь есть?
Или ты ничего не любишь, у тебя депрессия и алкоголизм?))) Мне кажется, что ты любой кухней недовольна. Кроме русских конфет...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I will write a post about my family's big Thanksgiving celebration at the end of November. There you will see some typical American foods. And also about our holiday celebrations in December. You will see how a normal, American family lives and celebrates such occasions.

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

Интересно не только пища для праздников. Очень интересна ежедневная обычная пища, которые американские женщины готовят сами, каждый день. Меня ждет разочарование в американских женщинах? Homemade hotdog and bigmac- best everyday home-food recipe from american woman? )))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't like hot dogs! I'm not a good example because I live alone and am not making big meals for myself, but I can cook. :)

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

Ждём большой пост об этом.
Или для одинокой женщины лучший пищевой рецепт- заказать пиццу в пиццерии? ))
Я не думаю, что ты такая безрукая

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I told you, I make soups or grill chicken in a pan w/vegetables. And, yes, sometimes I order pizza. Who doesn't like pizza? Everywhere in the world people eat it! When Alexander returns, we will eat A LOT of meat - pork, steak, chicken. Almost all men are eating meat, it doesn't matter from what country they come. But I like vegetables and pasta more.

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

Я тоже не люблю яйцо в суп. Это только пример бульона из интернета. Он очень жидкий, вкусный и диетический. Туда ещё кладут пассированный лук и морковь, но очень мало- совсем чуть чуть. И мясо, конечно.
Может быть это более удачный пример, как это выглядит http://kalaeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DSC_6149-400x400.jpg
или так http://kulinar.org/uploads/recipe/bulony/bulon-s-ovoshhami_7483.jpg
Или даже так http://www.pokushay.ru/uploads/posts/2010-12/1292935758_7.jpg

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

Другие любят и готовят вот такой густой- это русские щи http://vasabi.my1.ru/perviebluda2/pervie_bluda9/146055d82435.jpg
http://nashrecept.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/schi-so-svezhey-kapustoy07-300x225.jpg
http://povar.ru/uploads/f8/6b/60/65/shi_s_muchnoi_podboltkoi-25830.jpg

Но русские щи тоже бывают жидкие, когда варятся мясной бульон и много капусты, а потом 80% капусты убирают. Остаётся только мясо, специи и немного овощей. Это дело вкуса

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'll search the Internet and find a recipe for a traditional Russian soup and make it. If so, I'll send you a photo of my creation. :)

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

я тебе сегодня пришлю фото, если буду суп есть)) классический русский суп))

[7greendog.livejournal.com]

Итальянские макароны "паста", пицца- это очень калорийная пища. Там много муки и быстрых углеводов.
Ты видела итальянских женщин в возрасте более 40 лет?
Русский суп- это больше бульон, а не густое блюдо. Борщ- это густо, но не все его едят. Я ел борщ более 15 лет назад, последний раз. Я не люблю свеклу и борщ.
Русский домашний суп- это больше бульон. Вроде такого http://dreamfood.info/uploads/posts/2012-09/thumbs/1348237897_0pileshka.jpg
или даже такой- моя любимая консистенция http://drunkard.ru/menu/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/114.jpg

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Eggs in soup - нет! I don't like, but as you noticed I'm a picky eater.

+1!

[mystery-86.livejournal.com]

Yes, I would also like a post about the typical American cuisine and eating habits of Americans! Because the stereotypes about fast food, pizza and Cola are very strong indeed.
It is really very insteresting for me to get to know what ordinary American women (and you or your relatives as an example) cook at home, if they do at all :)) And I aslo wonder what food parents give to their children! What do American children usually eat at home? It would be great if you attach some photos of the typical American dinner or supper. That`s my suggestion for your next post =)