What foods to make for Russian guests?

amother

Thu, Apr 08 2010, 3:28 pm

What kinds of foods should I make for guests who are in their 60s and came to the U.S. from Russia about 20 years ago, but are still very Russian culturally? I want them to feel at home. Thanks!

Bella:D

Thu, Apr 08 2010, 3:33 pm

I came here from Russia around the same time. I suggest that you serve some fish, maybe herring? I find that Russians often like foods with onion and or garlic, they don't always like sweet foods.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

amother

Thu, Apr 08 2010, 3:52 pm

My friend serves lots of different fish with salads. I remember seeing herring, small whole slices with the bone.
Lots of time is spent on the first fish/salad course.
She uses lots of cumin in her meat dishes.
Savory (not sweet) stuffed peppers (rice and meat) is very popular there.
Most of her dishes have sauteed onions.
I love her food!

amother

Thu, Apr 08 2010, 10:56 pm

Thank you for the good ideas! These are very helpful. It's especially good to know that Russians tend to like savory better than sweet...we Americans seem to dump sugar into everything. Off to google some non-sweet recipes! :-)

anuta

Fri, Apr 09 2010, 9:45 am

Tamiri wrote:

Borsht, Kasha, Pierogi, Vodka

Better not, or they'll complain that the ones they eat at home are better, and yours are not "real". LOL

sequoia

Fri, Apr 09 2010, 10:43 am

Avoid spicy or sweet. We like bland!

Fish, salads, savory pies are good.

Borsch with a turkey bone -- yum yum yum!

Tongue.

It still won't be as good as theirs LOL

red sea

Fri, Apr 09 2010, 11:06 am

sequoia wrote:

We like bland!

that one sentence just explained a whole lot to me!

amother

Fri, Apr 09 2010, 12:39 pm

red sea wrote:

sequoia wrote:

We like bland!

that one sentence just explained a whole lot to me!

My friend's food is not bland at all!

sequoia

Fri, Apr 09 2010, 12:52 pm

I don't mean tasteless Smile

Quite flavorful, just not specifically spicy, and desserts are usually less sweet than in America.

anuta

Fri, Apr 09 2010, 1:26 pm

IMHO make the food you usually make. They are probably looking forward to trying something new.
Can you imagine, afterwards, they will be telling their friends "we were invited to eat in an american jewish home, and their food is just the same old, same old, as ours!"
LOL

amother

Fri, Apr 09 2010, 2:30 pm

sequoia wrote:

I don't mean tasteless Smile

Quite flavorful, just not specifically spicy, and desserts are usually less sweet than in America.

That I will agree with. Smile

Her food is very tasty and delicious. But not overspiced at all. She uses just the right amount of seasoning. No explosive tastes on on the palet.

Besiyata Dishmaya

Sat, Apr 10 2010, 3:50 pm

Borsht with a turkey bone like sequoia mentioned cooked with cabbage and beets.

Shabbos fish cooked with potatoes.

And, of course, the famous Russian anti-freeze/vodka.

fmt4

Sat, Apr 10 2010, 6:58 pm

That's so funny that you're all saying that about sweets. My russian father and grandparents all LOVE sweets. My father could eat cake, cookies and ice cream all day lol, and my grandparents would as well (and sometimes still do unfortunately) despite their being diabetic! Maybe it's true that they don't like their regular food to be sweet, but they definitely enjoy desserts!
I would suggest fried foods, use mushrooms, onions and potatoes in everything. In my experience, they would rather cut up vegetables than salad. Like a plate with tomatoes and cucumbers and peppers.
Ooohh if you want to splurge get caviar!!! My father has it every single shabbos!

Good luck!