RUSSIA
By: Katelyn Rapp and Bailey Shelton
Geography and Climate
Climate- large portion: long and severe winters and light precipitation, and cool summer
European part of Russia: short mild summers, winters- long and cold and precip. Is moderate.
Northern Arctic regions: summers-short and chilly, winters are long and bitterly cold
Only can grow hardy foods in suitable soil and most places are too cold to live
Largest country in world
Terrain- vast lowland or mountains
Crops and Livestock
Major grain crop- wheat
Followed by rye, barley, oats, and corn.
Other important crops- sugar beet, sunflower seeds, and flax
Hardy fruits and veggies- cabbage, potatoes, apples (grow where climate is suitable)
Pig production is increasing/ cow production is decreasing
Beef consumption decreases and pork consumption increases
Culture and Typical Foods
Hearty and filling and nutritious
BREAD AND GRAINS- FOUNDATION
Veggies in soups and side dishes
Liberal use of meat and dairy
Balance nutrients with some fats
Smoked and pickled foods are limited
- Peasant's- bread(dark), Kasha(made from buckwheat), and SOUP
Russia has been ind. For only a short period of time
Been ruled by imperial govt for years
Early 20th century- Russia became part of U.S.S.R (communist dictatorship)
1991- communist govt. Dissolved
Russia broke into 15 ind countries- Russia was one of them
- The old ways of the peasants and czars affect the food- the rich ate fancy food- the poor ate what they could grow and traditions passed down
Russian cuisine today-
zazuska(fish as an appatizer)
CAVIER- salted roe(eggs) of large fish
Schi- cabbage soup
Borscht- beet soup
Beef stroganov- beef, mushroom, and seasoned sour cream
Paskha- rich cheesecake
Kulich- cylindrical yeast cake filled with fruits and nuts
Holidays and Traditions
Linked to russian orthodox church
Fall of communist= church reopen
2 winter holidays
New Year= best holiday- receive candy gifts from Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden who arrive in a horse drawn sled
Borscht, beef stroganov, pickled tomato, and salad
- Festival of Winter-- period of several weeks during which parks are decorated with lights and Christmas trees-people walk by and enjoy bilinis-pancakes made from buckwheat flour(round shape symbolizes the sun coming up for spring) and tea
Russian Cuisine and Characteristic Dishes
BEEF STROGANOV- tender strips of beef, mushrooms and seasoned sour cream
CHAKHOKHBILI- stewed chicken with tomato sauce, onions, vinegar, wine, peppers, and olives
KURNIK- chicken and rice pie
KOTMIS SATSIVI- roasted chicken with walnut sauce
KOLTLETY-pounded chicken breasts wrapped around pieces of sweet butter
other popular meal items include: paskha, kulich, borscht, chernyi hleb, tvorog, and Tchai
BORSCHT RECIPE- beet soup
2 pounds beef brisket
8 medium beets
4 medium onions
2 medium tomatoes
2 tbs sugar
2 tbs lemon juice
1.5tsp salt
⅛ tsp pepper
½ pound white cabbage
Directions
Fill large dutch oven with water. Add brisket, beets, onions, tomatoes; simmer until meat is tender, about 1.5 hours
Remove meat. Add sugar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to stock. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Add cabbage and simmer an additional 25 minutes
Skim fat
Shred meat and add to soup
- Pour soup into large tureen and serve immediately with dollaps of sour cream.