Russian Dishes
1. Borsch
A staple Russian/Ukrainian dish, the St Petersburg borsch is a filling beetroot-based soup usually prepared with meat, although vegetarian versions can also be found. A thick borsch tastes delicious with smetana (sour cream).
2. Caviar
Russia has two types of caviar. Black caviar is the more expensive of the two, and is roe from sturgeon. The red caviar, cheaper and far more common, is roe taken from salmon.
3. Pelmeni
Pelmeni are like ravioli, only usually bigger. Served in a clear broth or with smetana, they come in various shapes, sizes and prices. Avoid the cheaper versions, which often contain poor quality meat.
4. Blini
Blini are buttery pancakes filled with anything from caviar to jam, and are on sale everywhere, from restaurants and cafés to street kiosks.
5. Solyanka
The main ingredient of solyanka is pickled cucumber with brine. This is cooked, and then meat, fish or, occasionally, mushrooms are added to produce a “tangy” tasting soup.
6. Schi
This cabbage soup, despite sounding like something that Dickens’ orphan heroes would be forced to live on, is actually a delicious, warming dish that should be tried at least once. This combination of meat, herbs and vegetables has been popular for over 1,000 years.
7. Ukha
Ukha is a very popular fish broth usually prepared with salmon, pike or perch. As a rule, ukha should be made with a minimum of two different types of fish, and a maximum of four. It also often contains potatoes, onions and other vegetables.
8. Kholodets
Despite its extremely unappetizing appearance, kholodets is a traditional Ukrainian dish that is incredibly popular all over Russia. It is made from meat picked off a boiling bone (traditionally pigs’ trotters). As the meat cools, the gravy around it forms a kind of jelly. It is served with mustard or horseradish.
9. Okroshka
Okroshka is another Russian cold soup which contains an unlikely combination of ingredients – cucumber, spring onion, boiled eggs, ham and kvas. It is a refreshing summer soup found everywhere in Russia. Many families have their own recipes.
10. Vareniki
Usually served as dessert, vareniki are boiled dumplings and are similar to pelmeni. They can be filled with potato and mushroom and accompanied with smetana, or eaten with sweeter fillings such as cherry or curd. An excellent option for vegetarians in Russia, vareniki are lighter than pelmeni.
