Traditional Russian foods are known throughout the world for their stick-to-your-ribs heartiness and warmth. Although modern Russian food culture incorporates a wide range of ingredients, the typical Russian dish consists of harsh weather-resistant foods such as carrots, turnips and cabbage.
Soups
Often served as a first course, soups and stews play a vital role in the Russian meal. Common soups include borscht, a beet soup served hot or cold, and the cabbage-based shchi. Soups are usually garnished with sour cream or chopped greens, such as dill.
Main Dishes
The main course of a dinner typically consists of a satisfying combination of hearty meats and vegetables. Beef stroganov, a popular Russian menu item, consists of sirloin steak and noodles in a creamy mushroom sauce. Another common main dish is pelmini, or small minced meat and/or vegetable-filled dumplings. Pierogies, which are pastries filled with ingredients such as minced meat, cabbage, potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, also make for a popular main course.
Salads and Side Dishes
Russian meals are often accompanied by filling vegetables such as potatoes, mushrooms or carrots. Salad Olivier, a mayonnaise-based salad typically containing some variation of potatoes, olives, hard-boiled eggs and pickles, is a well-liked accompaniment to any Russian meal.
Desserts
Traditional Russian meals often end with bliny, which are thin, yeasty pancakes typically spread with honey, jam, butter or sour cream. Buckwheat bliny are common throughout Russia.
Drinks
Popular Russian beverages include vodka, a liquor available in myriad forms, and kvas, a mildly alcoholic drink typically made from some kind of grain, including rye.
Tags: hard-boiled eggs, main course, meals often, minced meat, Russian meal