Best Russian Cuisine Food Recipes 2024 - Step by Step with Pictures

Russian Cuisine

Russian cuisine is diverse, hearty, and reflects the vastness of the country’s geography and cultural influences. It is characterized by its reliance on staple ingredients like grains, root vegetables, and meats, as well as its emphasis on preserving methods. Traditional Russian meals are known for their abundance, with soups, stews, and hearty dishes taking center stage. The cuisine is a blend of Slavic, Baltic, Siberian, Caucasian, Central Asian, and Eastern European influences.

History of Russian Cuisine

Ancient Roots: Russian culinary traditions have deep roots in the agricultural practices of ancient Slavic tribes. Grains, particularly wheat and barley, were staple foods.
Mongol-Tatar Influence: The Mongol-Tatar invasion in the 13th century introduced new ingredients like rice, spices, and various cooking techniques. Russian cuisine adapted by incorporating these influences.
Tsarist Era: During the Tsarist era, Russian cuisine saw the introduction of more elaborate and refined dishes influenced by French and European cuisines. The aristocracy embraced French culinary styles, leading to the creation of dishes like beef stroganoff.
Soviet Period: The Soviet period brought changes to Russian cuisine due to economic factors. Convenience foods became more prevalent, but traditional dishes like borscht and pelmeni remained popular.
Post-Soviet Era: With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, there has been a revival of interest in traditional Russian cuisine. Chefs explore regional variations and incorporate modern cooking techniques.

Commonly Used Ingredients in Russian Cuisine

Buckwheat (Gretchka): A staple grain in Russian cuisine, buckwheat is used in kasha (porridge) and various side dishes.
Potatoes: Versatile and widely used in Russian dishes, potatoes are a key ingredient in soups, stews, and side dishes.
Cabbage: Both fresh and fermented cabbage play significant roles in Russian cuisine. Cabbage is used in soups like shchi and as a main ingredient in dishes like golubtsy (stuffed cabbage rolls).
Beets: The vibrant color of beets is a common sight in Russian cuisine. Borscht, a beet soup, is a classic example.
Carrots: Carrots are used in a variety of Russian dishes, adding sweetness and color. They are commonly found in soups and stews.
Meat (Beef, Pork, Chicken): Meat is a fundamental component of Russian cuisine. It is used in various forms, from hearty stews like beef stroganoff to grilled shashlik.
Fish: With access to rivers and the Baltic Sea, fish is an important protein source. Salted and smoked fish are popular, as seen in dishes like shuba salad.
Dill: A ubiquitous herb in Russian cuisine, dill adds a fresh and aromatic flavor to many dishes, including soups, salads, and sauces.
Sour Cream (Smetana): A staple condiment, sour cream is often drizzled over soups, blini (pancakes), and other dishes, providing richness and tanginess.
Mushrooms: Foraged wild mushrooms, such as porcini, play a significant role in Russian cuisine. They are used in soups, sauces, and various main dishes.

Popular Dishes in Russian Cuisine

Borscht: A hearty beet soup, borscht is often made with meat, cabbage, and root vegetables. It is served hot or cold, with a dollop of sour cream.
Pelmeni: Dumplings filled with minced meat, usually beef or a mixture of pork and beef. They are typically served with butter or sour cream.
Shchi: A cabbage soup that can be prepared with various additional ingredients like meat, mushrooms, or sauerkraut.
Beef Stroganoff: Sliced beef in a creamy mushroom sauce, typically served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Olivier Salad: A festive salad made with boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, and mayonnaise. Often served during holidays.
Piroshki: Small, baked or fried buns filled with a variety of ingredients, such as meat, cabbage, or potatoes.
Kotleti: Russian-style meat patties, usually made with ground meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. They are pan-fried and served with a side dish.
Shashlik: Marinated and grilled skewers of meat, commonly enjoyed during outdoor gatherings.
Solyanka: A hearty and sour soup made with various meats, pickles, olives, and sometimes mushrooms.
Golubtsy: Cabbage rolls stuffed with a mixture of ground meat and rice, often served with a tomato sauce.
Pirog: A traditional Russian pastry, often sweet, filled with fruits, berries, or jams.
Kasha: A porridge made from various grains, with buckwheat kasha being a popular and nutritious choice.
Kholodets: A cold meat jelly made from pork or beef, usually served with mustard or horseradish.
Medovik: A layered honey cake, with sweetened sour cream between the layers.
Shuba Salad: A layered salad made with beets, potatoes, herring, carrots, and mayonnaise, often served during celebrations.

Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes and Cheese Recipe

April 10, 2021April 10, 2021 | By Creator

Delicious and hearty scrambled eggs with tomatoes and cheese in 5 minutes. A great option for breakfast or a snack.

Diet stewed Vegetables without Oil Recipe

April 10, 2021April 10, 2021 | By Creator

I offer you a simple dietary recipe for stewed vegetables without their additional frying. This dish is filled with fiber and a lot of useful substances from carrots, eggplant and tomatoes. Mostly potatoes give this dish some calories. The main thing is that this recipe does not contain oxidized oils. If you use low-fat chicken legs, the fat will not appear from the meat. You can enjoy this dish at any time of the day. You can also serve it with baked salmon.

Pumpkin Soup with roasted Chickpeas Recipe

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021 | By Creator

Spicy, flavorful pumpkin puree soup with roasted chickpeas! Of course, you can make the soup not spicy, replacing the chili pepper with Bulgarian, but since I am a fan of spicy dishes, my soup is quite spicy. In any version, the soup will appeal to both pumpkin lovers and chickpea lovers. I highly recommend to try, simple ingredients, and how delicious!

Arugula and Avocado Sandwiches Recipe

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021 | By Creator

I suggest you try savory sandwiches for breakfast or a snack for dinner. Delicious and nutritious.

Avocado and Wild Cherry Sauce Recipe

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021 | By Creator

We have started the season of wild cherry, the season is short, it is necessary to take advantage of the moment and use it more often. This sauce is my improvisation, we really liked it! It can be used as a spread for sandwiches, it is perfect for fish and meat.