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.
On the festive table, meat dishes occupy almost the first place along with salads and snacks. Meat nests with stuffing look very attractive. To prepare them, you will need any minced meat, but it should be thick, that is, not liquid. For the filling, you can use flakes called “couscous”. It cooks quickly and turns out tender.
A very delicious cake with a bright rich taste of black currant berries, a chocolate cake with the aroma of natural coffee. This exquisite taste will haunt you for a long time. This is being prepared for one, two, three. There are not many products, and if you have a stock of freshly frozen black currant berries, then you will have time to prepare this pie for the New Year. Whisk the liquid ingredients, add the mixed dry ingredients, dilute with freshly brewed natural coffee and put the dough in the oven. It remains to grate the berries, whisk the cream and … the pie is ready.
A delicious and light snack option for the festive table. Processed cheese rolls with mushroom filling are prepared very quickly and simply. They taste tender and satisfying. This portion of snacks will appeal to everyone without exception. It can be prepared in advance and served as needed.
I cook many different dishes from chicken ventricles. I offer a very simple, budget option. You may also want to cook this delicacy. It turns out very tasty. It looks beautiful on the festive table in the cut, looks good in sandwiches, you can take it with you to work or on a picnic. I give the cooking time without taking into account soaking and cooling.
A simple, juicy and pleasant-tasting salad. The main role is played by spicy beetroot, which goes well with fresh vegetables. This salad will definitely not harm the figure and diversify the lean table..
When else to cook interesting pastries, if not for the New Year’s table? Dried cranberries are great for making desserts and baking. I suggest baking fragrant homemade waffles. And you can also cook the dough with a powerful food processor. Cranberries can be added whole, and milk or dark chocolate should be pre-chopped with a knife. It turns out very tasty pastries for a family holiday tea party.
This seller has been our favorite for a good ten years. There is not a drop of fat in it (no mayonnaise, no butter, no sour cream), but it is very juicy and satisfying, with a rather bright taste.
We brought the recipe of this dish from Siberia, where we lived for 10 years. I tried several options: beef, fish and chicken, but I like this one the most.
For the New Year’s table, I suggest cooking delicious fish in the sleeve. Carp turns out to be tender, ruddy and very fragrant. Guests and family members will be delighted. Serve baked carp with vegetables in a warm form, you can even in a chilled one. Then the potatoes should be heated separately. But the fish in chilled form turns out very tasty. I recommend leaving the fish in the sleeve in the oven turned off before serving.