A Taste of Russia: Russian Food Myths
Russian Food Myths are simply a part of the Russian experience. After spending more than three months in this country you have realized that most of us we were mistaken about our conception with the Russian cuisine. Few years ago, I decided to buy a book about Russian food named A taste of Russia, since I was studying culinary arts and hospitality, I found more interesting to read about it and learn some recipes. I will write about the most common stereotypes and prejudices foreigners have over it.
- It’s just meat and potatoes.Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, a typical Russian feast starts with a table brimming with salads made from fresh vegetables, pickled foods, cheeses and smoked fish.
- It’s heavy.Only if you want it to be. A well-prepared Russian meal draws on a wide range of fresh dairy, fish, and garden-grown products. It can be very rich, yes, but rich does not have to equal heavy.
- It’s fattening. Not so. Russian cuisine emphasizes whole foods, whether grain or vegetables.
- It’s just an excuse to drink vodka.Vodka is the national drink and for hundreds of years has been an integral part of the Russian dining experience (especially the rich array of infused vodkas), but that doesn’t mean it should be taken to excess. Vodka, by the way, is especially compatible with the preserved foods that are so central to Russian cuisine.
- It’s too time-consuming. Fine for the Russian Tea Room. But for my home?! home-style Russian cooking doesn’t take very much time at all. Soups can simmer on their own for hours, while fresh salads can be prepared in a flash.
- It’s little more than 101 Ways to Cook Cabbage.Yes, cabbage, served fresh, preserved and cooked, has a strong supporting role on the Russian table, but it never steals the scene. Russian cuisine is anything but monochromatic.
- It doesn’t offer any good desserts.Russians love creamy deserts, airy tortes and flaky pies.
What I have to say to all this, is that you have to find out on your own once you are living here, in our blog you will find immensity of articles about restaurants and cafes in Moscow and Saint Petersburg; for instance, I personally like to eat in Теремок and Чайная Ложка, where you can get blini with different types of fillings and wide variety of Russian dishes. I encourage you to take a cooking lesson to learn more about it, our school offers you the opportunity to participate twice per month.
This post was brought to you by Eliant, currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz
