Cooking the Russian Way by Gregory Plotkin & Rita Plotkin

Author:Gregory Plotkin & Rita Plotkin [Plotkin, Gregory & Plotkin, Rita]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780822541202
Publisher: IB Dave's Library
Published: 2003-05-15T07:00:00+00:00

D i n n e r / O b e d

Dinner, the main meal of the day in most Russian households, is usually eaten between 12:00 and 2:00 P.M. It is a large meal consist

ing of three to four courses and typically begins with zakuski (appe

tizers). Although the name zakuski actually means “little bites” in Russian, this first course can be quite filling. After the appetizers, a soup such as borsch or bouillon is usually served. This is followed by a main course of beef, pork, chicken, or fish, and one or more side dishes of potatoes, noodles, rice, or buckwheat. Kompot, a sweet fruit beverage, often concludes the meal. Diners may also enjoy tea as they sit around the table and chat after eating.

Pirozhki (bottom) make a tasty dinner with hot borsch (top right) and crunchy spring vegetable salad (top left) . (Recipes on pages 40, 41, and 44–45.) 37

Appetizers/ Zakuski

In Russia, the tradition of starting dinner with an appetizer may have begun in the countryside, where people had to travel great distances to visit each other. Hosts would serve substantial zakuski to their guests until everyone had arrived and dinner was served.

¥ lb. herring, smoked or pickled

Arrange all ingredients* attractively

in an assortment of small dishes and

¥ lb. chopped liver

bowls.

12 slices assorted cold cuts

Preparation time:10 minutes

various cheeses, cut in thin wedges

Serves 4 to 6

or slices

1 cucumber, sliced

12 cherry tomatoes

12 radishes, sliced

12 dill pickles

12 marinated mushrooms or other

vegetables

1 package party rye bread

butter

*These are just a few of the many

items that you may choose to serve as

zakuski. Be creative and come up with

favorites of your own!

A delicious array of zakuski is sure to tempt hungry diners. 38

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