Russian Delights: Two Traditional Food Recipes

The substantial and warm meals of Russian cuisine are well known, and they frequently contain items like potatoes, pork, cabbage, beets, and other dairy products. Here are two well-known dishes from Russia:

 

1.       Classic Borscht:

 

 

Classic Russian Borscht

Full Recipe of Classic Russian Borscht:

 

v  Ingredients:

 

i.                     500 grams (1 pound) of beef or pork, cubed

ii.                   4 medium beets, peeled and grated

iii.                 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

iv.                 1 onion, finely chopped

v.                   2 carrots, grated

vi.                 2 cloves of garlic, minced

vii.                1 small cabbage, shredded

viii.              2 tablespoons tomato paste

ix.                  4 cups beef or vegetable broth

x.                   2 tablespoons vegetable oil

xi.                  2 bay leaves

xii.                2 tablespoons white vinegar

xiii.              Salt and pepper to taste

xiv.              Sour cream and fresh dill for serving

 

v  Instructions:

 

i.                     Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and grated carrots, and sauté until they become soft and slightly golden.

ii.                   Add the cubed beef or pork to the pot and cook until it is browned on all sides.

iii.                 Stir in the grated beets and tomato paste. Cook for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

iv.                 Pour in the beef or vegetable broth and add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender.

v.                   Add the cubed potatoes and shredded cabbage to the pot. Simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.

vi.                 Stir in the minced garlic, white vinegar, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

vii.                Remove the pot from the heat and let the borscht sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

viii.              Serve the borscht hot, topped with a dollop of sour cream, and sprinkled with fresh dill. It is often enjoyed with a slice of crusty bread.

 

Note: Borscht can be made with a variety of ingredient combinations and ratios. Certain recipes call for extra veggies such as bell peppers or tomatoes. You are welcome to modify the recipe to suit your tastes.

 

2.       Traditional Russian Pelmeni:

 

 

Traditional Russain pelmeni

Full Recipe of Traditional Russian Pelmeni:

 

v  Ingredients:

 

i.                     2 cups all-purpose flour

ii.                   1/2 teaspoon salt

iii.                 2/3 cup water

iv.                 1/2-pound ground beef

v.                   1/2-pound ground pork

vi.                 1 small onion, finely chopped

vii.                2 cloves garlic, minced

viii.              1 teaspoon salt

ix.                  1/2 teaspoon black pepper

x.                   1/2 teaspoon dried dill (optional)

xi.                  Sour cream and butter (for serving)

 

v  Instructions:

 

i.                     Flour and salt should be combined in a sizable mixing dish. As you mix, gradually add water until the dough comes together. The dough should be smooth and elastic after 5 minutes of kneading. Allow the dough to rest for about 30 minutes while it is covered with a kitchen towel.

ii.                   In another bowl, mix the ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried dill (if using). You can also use a food processor to mix the filling ingredients.

iii.                 After the dough has rested, lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough until it is thin, about 1/8 inch thick. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough.

iv.                 Take one circle of dough and place about 1 teaspoon of the meat filling in the center. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape and pinch the edges together firmly to seal the pelmeni. Repeat this process with the remaining dough circles and filling.

v.                   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add the pelmeni to the boiling water and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they float to the surface.

vi.                 Once the pelmeni are cooked, remove them from the water using a slotted spoon and serve them hot. You can serve them with sour cream and melted butter for dipping.

 

Note: Pelmeni can be frozen before being prepared. The completed pelmeni should be placed on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, then frozen until solid. For long-term storage, move the frozen items into a freezer bag or container. When you're ready to prepare them, simply boil them right from frozen, lengthening the cooking time by a few minutes.

Enjoy your homemade pelmeni from Russia!