Russia is a multinational country. Here you can try a variety of, sometimes very exotic dishes. However, there is a traditional “basic” set that forms the basis of Russian cuisine.
1. Buckwheat porridge
Russian cuisine is unthinkable without it. Buckwheat appeared in Russia in the 15th century and became the most beloved. No wonder they said: “Buckwheat porridge is our mother.” The popularity of the cereal is easy to explain: it is filling and easy to cook. It is enough to boil buckwheat for 5 minutes, and then let it sit for an hour – this way more useful properties will be preserved. You can not boil it at all, but steam the cereal by pouring hot water or milk over it. Most often, buckwheat is combined with fried onions and mushrooms.
2. Cabbage soup
Cabbage soup, which was invented in the 11th century. The list of ingredients includes meat, spices and sour dressing from cabbage brine. However, the ingredients may vary depending on the type of shchi (lean, fish, green) and the culinary skills of the cook – many Russians prepare this soup according to their own recipes. Shchi is eaten with rye bread, seasoned with sour cream.
3. Botvinya
An old dish of Russian cuisine – a cold soup with a subtle, tender, spicy taste with a hint of bitterness on bread kvass. Botvinya is seasoned with stewed and mashed boiled beet tops and fresh herbs. Boiled fresh or salted and smoked fish, as well as finely chopped ice, are served separately with botvinya.
4. Vinaigrette
This salad appeared in Russian cuisine in the 19th century. It is prepared from boiled or baked beets, potatoes, carrots, canned or fresh peas, as well as pickled cucumbers and onions. Sometimes sauerkraut is added, which makes the salad even healthier. The vinaigrette is seasoned with sunflower oil.
5. Pancakes
The oldest dish of Russian cuisine, which appeared in the 9th century. The recipe is very simple – flour, milk, eggs, salt. But the cooking process is akin to a skill that not every housewife can master. It is important to bake a ruddy, even pancake without lumps and not let it burn. The thinner the pancakes, the higher the level of skill. The saying “The first pancake is lumpy” is still in use, meaning failure at the beginning of any business. Pancakes are usually served hot with sour cream, butter, honey, or various fillings are wrapped in them – meat, fish, vegetable, sweet, fruit and others.