Cuisine Bridges Cultures
The Journalist goes Food Network style to explore two cultures common cuisine, and food brings everyone to the same table.
The beauty behind this exchange is how students from two different worlds come together and create something more than a just a journal. We don't just write and translate. We create a meaningful and lasting connections beyond just professional contacts.
As journalism students we follow the story. As college students we follow the party, and where there is a party there is food!
As journalism students we follow the story. As college students we follow the party, and where there is a party there is food!
May the Best Chef
Give Us Free Food & Vodka
Give Us Free Food & Vodka
In order to get a full cultural experience, we decided to have a cooking competition. The idea was to cook traditional food from both Russia and the US.
When we were brainstorming what to cook, we wanted to reflect our countrys' cultures. Each country has its own face, smell, flavor, and (critically important) alcohol traditions.
We went to our corners to plan our strategy. In the American corner: burgers and beer (and bacon, a lot of bacon). In the Russian corner, caviar blini, olivye and vodka.
We gathered our ingredients, suited up in the mandatory gear that resembled hospital gowns, and entered the ring.
College students and an industrial kitchen, what could go wrong!
When we were brainstorming what to cook, we wanted to reflect our countrys' cultures. Each country has its own face, smell, flavor, and (critically important) alcohol traditions.
We went to our corners to plan our strategy. In the American corner: burgers and beer (and bacon, a lot of bacon). In the Russian corner, caviar blini, olivye and vodka.
We gathered our ingredients, suited up in the mandatory gear that resembled hospital gowns, and entered the ring.
College students and an industrial kitchen, what could go wrong!
Recipes of
Traditional Russian dishes
Traditional Russian dishes
These are a few basic recipes to get acquainted with traditional Russian cuisine.
Recipe
Yield: 5 servings, 30 blini
Cook Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 20 min
1.
Beat the eggs into a mixing bowl, add sugar and salt. Stir until smooth with a mixer, whisk or fork.
Add to the egg mass a small portion of milk, somewhere 100-150 ml and mix it.
Add to the egg mass a small portion of milk, somewhere 100-150 ml and mix it.
2.
Sift flour into a container with a dough. Stir the dough to a smooth even state, without any lumps.Add the remaining milk, and mix again.
3.
Pour the cooled melted butter or vegetable oil into the dough. Mix until combined. If the dough is very thick, add a little water or milk, if it's to runny, add a little flour.
4.
Grease the frying pan with oil before cooking pancakes. Heat the frying pan until hot.
5.
With a ladle, pour the dough into the hot frying pan, and simultaneously rotate it around in a circle so that the dough covers the bottom with an even thin layer.
6.
Turn the pancake when the dough on top stops bubbling and ceases to be sticky, and the edges begin to slightly darken.
7.
Lift the blini with a spatula and gently turn it over to the other side. Spread it in a pan, if it turns unevenly. Fry the pancake on the other side. Raise the edge and make sure that it does not burn from the bottom. When the pancake becomes lightly browned on the bottom, remove it from the pan.
And American traditional recipe
Hamburger
Recipe
Yield: 4 Servings
Cook Time: 40 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Ingredients
4 white buns
5 fresh tomatoes
1 egg
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 small onion, finely grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 lb medium ground beef
1 tablespoon chopped sun-dried tomato
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sour cream or 1 tablespoon yogurt
5 fresh tomatoes
1 egg
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 small onion, finely grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 lb medium ground beef
1 tablespoon chopped sun-dried tomato
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sour cream or 1 tablespoon yogurt
1
Lightly oil grill& heat BBQ to medium.
2
Whisk egg in a bowl& add next 6 ingredients
3
Add any of the "stir-ins" that appeal to you. Crumble in beef& using your hands or a fork, gently mix together.
4
Handle the meat as little as possible – the more you work it, the tougher it gets. Gently shape (don't firmly press) mixture into burgers about ¾ inch thick.
5
Using your thumb, make a shallow depression in the centre of each burger to prevent puffing up during cooking. Place burgers on the grill, close lid& BBQ until NO LONGER PINK INSIDE, turning once, about 6 – 8 minutes per side.
6
An instant read thermometer should read 160F. Don't abuse your burgers by pressing with a spatula, pricking with a fork or turning frequently as precious juices will be lost!
Tuck into a warm crusty bun& add your favourite toppings. The best will be to add tomato, romain salad and cucumbers.
Tuck into a warm crusty bun& add your favourite toppings. The best will be to add tomato, romain salad and cucumbers.
7
Fry the buns on the grill a bit. Add all the ingredients. Combine them to your taste
People from all countries come together at the dinner table. Food is something that transgresses language barriers and ocean divides. One thing is for certain: there is unity at the dinner table.
As journalism students we follow the story. As college students we follow the party, and where there is a party there is food!
As journalism students we follow the story. As college students we follow the party, and where there is a party there is food!
The Taste of Russia
Since ancient times the Russian people have experienced the cultures of many nations. After a turbulent history, Russia absorbed many traditions and spread its customs to the surrounding territories. However after many centuries Russia has preserved its national culture and still supports it to this day. Russia has kept the most important tradition, it has preserved its national cuisine.
The history of Russian cuisine is listed so that each reader, no matter their nationality can experience the subtle and diverse taste of Russia.
Since ancient times the Russian people have experienced the cultures of many nations. After a turbulent history, Russia absorbed many traditions and spread its customs to the surrounding territories. However after many centuries Russia has preserved its national culture and still supports it to this day. Russia has kept the most important tradition, it has preserved its national cuisine.
The history of Russian cuisine is listed so that each reader, no matter their nationality can experience the subtle and diverse taste of Russia.
History
Any history is always extensive, and may be turbulent or confusing. Entire generations create this history. Overcoming various obstacles along the way and thereby absorbing completely new stories that eventually create unity.
Russian cuisine is a collection of the different cooking traditions of the Russian people. The cuisine is diverse, with Central European, Middle Eastern and Central Asian influences. By area Russia is the largest country in the world. Indeed it has its own way of presenting its cultural tastes.
Russia's cuisine expanded greatly during the 16th–18th centuries. This time of growth was due to a new thriving culture, increased Russian influence, and interest. This subsequently brought more refined foods and culinary techniques to the country. Now Russia is one of the most refined food hubs in the world.
Any history is always extensive, and may be turbulent or confusing. Entire generations create this history. Overcoming various obstacles along the way and thereby absorbing completely new stories that eventually create unity.
Russian cuisine is a collection of the different cooking traditions of the Russian people. The cuisine is diverse, with Central European, Middle Eastern and Central Asian influences. By area Russia is the largest country in the world. Indeed it has its own way of presenting its cultural tastes.
Russia's cuisine expanded greatly during the 16th–18th centuries. This time of growth was due to a new thriving culture, increased Russian influence, and interest. This subsequently brought more refined foods and culinary techniques to the country. Now Russia is one of the most refined food hubs in the world.
Traditional Food
Traditional Russian foods feature many dairy products. These include sour cream, which is often used in soups and salads, as well as cottage cheese, that is mainly used to prepare cheese cakes.
The variety of cereals was based wholly on the types of grain crops growing in Russia. Each type of grain produced several types of cereals. Everything from whole grains to crushed grains to make various foods were produced.
In Russia vegetables are eaten in a variety of ways. They may be prepared raw, boiled, steamed, baked, salted, moistened and pickled.
The variety of cereals was based wholly on the types of grain crops growing in Russia. Each type of grain produced several types of cereals. Everything from whole grains to crushed grains to make various foods were produced.
In Russia vegetables are eaten in a variety of ways. They may be prepared raw, boiled, steamed, baked, salted, moistened and pickled.
~
Russian cuisine:
view from the other continent
view from the other continent
"The taste of Russian cuisine is more natural, than Chinese. Usually we add a lot of seasonings to Chinese dishes, and this hides the real taste of our traditional food. I really love blini and borsch with sour cream from Russian food. In China we have few dairy products, but I really love them very much. We have more soy products such as soy milk,, which I cannot find soy cheese, unfortunately, in Russia. But the Russian kitchen itself is really interesting, and for seven years I have got used to it and so I am very content."
Lin Chuanzhao
Chinese student of the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University
"In general, I like Russian cuisine. Most of all I love blini and milk rice porridge. I tried to prepare myself even after the return home. I must say that I did not immediately like milky rice porridge. In Japan people do not eat rice with milk, so at first it has a strange taste for me, it was unusual. But then I decided to try one more time, and I liked it. Compared with the Japanese Russian cuisine a little fat, but it also includes a lot of vegetables, so it is very nutritious. What is more, I am also very surprised that in every Russian food should be dill. We do not not eat it in Japan, so this taste for me was unusual."
Yuka Oakie
Japanese student of the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University.
"As a Japanese, I always want rice and soy sauce. If there is rice and soy sauce, I can live anywhere. In general, I really like Russian food. Russian and Japanese cuisine are quite different, but there are common features. In both kitchens there are a lot of vegetables. That's why almost all Japanese like Russian soups and salads. I always like what the Russians do with their own hands: salting and cooking. All the jams and salting are different and very tasty! I really love Russian cuisine!"
Naoko Kodamo
A teacher of Japanese at the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University.
"Russian cuisine is very tasty! I like cutlets "po-kievsky" and pilaf. In general, the Russian cuisine is much more harmful than Korean, but it's more delicious. In Korea people keep fit and do not eat fat food there and basically have a lot of greens. Salt is very little used. I like Russian cuisine."
Hunwoo Ha
Korean student of the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University.
~
The Experts of Russian Cuisine
Everyone thinks that the most favorite Russian drink is vodka, although this is far from being the case
- What are the features of Russian cuisine and traditional dishes?
- Russian national cuisine is simple and reasonable in the recipe and in the design of dishes. Cereals and vegetables (turnip, radish, cabbage) were the basis of nutrition of the Russian people. By the way, the priority of sauerkraut belongs to the Russians. Very popular were pies, carpets, gingerbread, gingerbread, pyshki, pancakes and fritters. And pancakes in Russian cuisine were prepared not only from wheat and rye flour, but often used flour made from buckwheat, oats and millet. The place of honor in the daily diet was porridge. And there is no such variety of soups anywhere in the world. This soup, rassolnik, ear, botvina, okroshka, borsch, beetroot, kulesh and solyanka.
Among Russian meat dishes it is possible to single out a cold meat, corned beef and stuffed pig. In the list of traditional drinks - mors, jelly, kvass, brine, honey, sbiten and vodka with different tinctures on it.
- Are there any special Russian dishes that foreigners like? Which and why?
- Many foreigners like our salads - vinaigrette, olivier and herring under a fur coat. The most popular soup, of course, borsch, although they are more accustomed to broths and cream soup. Buckwheat or pearl barley for a foreigner is an exotic dish, but dairy products they consider incredibly tasty and useful. Russian pancakes with caviar conquered the whole world, but they perceive pancakes with fillings as pies. Everyone thinks that the most favorite Russian drink is vodka, although this is far from being the case. Among the most delicious Russian dishes, foreigners call milk, yogurt, ryazhenka, cottage cheese, fish and bread.
- Is Russian cuisine popular abroad? Which dishes of our cuisine are borrowed?
- There are a lot of Russian cuisine restaurants in the world, but many "Russian" dishes are made from local products, and some ingredients can not be found abroad. At the same time, many foreign companies have already successfully mastered the independent production of popular Russian products. It is kefir or its analogues, sour cream or Crème, olivier (in foreign restaurants it is often called Russian salad or Moscow salad), dumplings (especially popular in neighboring countries), pancakes with caviar and, of course, vodka, which has long become an international product.
- What are the features of Russian cuisine and traditional dishes?
- Russian national cuisine is simple and reasonable in the recipe and in the design of dishes. Cereals and vegetables (turnip, radish, cabbage) were the basis of nutrition of the Russian people. By the way, the priority of sauerkraut belongs to the Russians. Very popular were pies, carpets, gingerbread, gingerbread, pyshki, pancakes and fritters. And pancakes in Russian cuisine were prepared not only from wheat and rye flour, but often used flour made from buckwheat, oats and millet. The place of honor in the daily diet was porridge. And there is no such variety of soups anywhere in the world. This soup, rassolnik, ear, botvina, okroshka, borsch, beetroot, kulesh and solyanka.
Among Russian meat dishes it is possible to single out a cold meat, corned beef and stuffed pig. In the list of traditional drinks - mors, jelly, kvass, brine, honey, sbiten and vodka with different tinctures on it.
- Are there any special Russian dishes that foreigners like? Which and why?
- Many foreigners like our salads - vinaigrette, olivier and herring under a fur coat. The most popular soup, of course, borsch, although they are more accustomed to broths and cream soup. Buckwheat or pearl barley for a foreigner is an exotic dish, but dairy products they consider incredibly tasty and useful. Russian pancakes with caviar conquered the whole world, but they perceive pancakes with fillings as pies. Everyone thinks that the most favorite Russian drink is vodka, although this is far from being the case. Among the most delicious Russian dishes, foreigners call milk, yogurt, ryazhenka, cottage cheese, fish and bread.
- Is Russian cuisine popular abroad? Which dishes of our cuisine are borrowed?
- There are a lot of Russian cuisine restaurants in the world, but many "Russian" dishes are made from local products, and some ingredients can not be found abroad. At the same time, many foreign companies have already successfully mastered the independent production of popular Russian products. It is kefir or its analogues, sour cream or Crème, olivier (in foreign restaurants it is often called Russian salad or Moscow salad), dumplings (especially popular in neighboring countries), pancakes with caviar and, of course, vodka, which has long become an international product.
Alexander
Rozhnikovsky
Rozhnikovsky
The Commercial director of the chain of restaurants "Grabli"
Russian cuisine absorbed all the best and interesting
- What are the features of Russian cuisine and traditional dishes?
- In the Stolovaya №57 there are traditional dishes of Soviet cuisine. This cuisine was formed under the influence of the multinational peoples of Russia and absorbed all the best and interesting. Due to the predominantly cold climate, the menu is dominated by dishes from meat, poultry, fish, cereals and root crops. A typical breakfast is a variety of cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, semolina, etc.), pancakes and dishes based on cottage cheese (casseroles, cheese cakes). A typical lunch usually consists of salad, soup and drink.
- Are there any special Russian dishes that foreigners like? Which and why?
- Borsch "Moskovsky", a cutlet in Kiev, herring under a fur coat, salad "Olivier", pancakes with caviar - are a visiting card of Russian cuisine and very popular with foreign tourists. Gourmets can appreciate the taste of Russian black caviar and dishes from sturgeon fishes (sterlet, sturgeon, etc.). Nourishing, varied and tasty dishes are invariably remembered for guests of our country.
- What are the features of Russian cuisine and traditional dishes?
- In the Stolovaya №57 there are traditional dishes of Soviet cuisine. This cuisine was formed under the influence of the multinational peoples of Russia and absorbed all the best and interesting. Due to the predominantly cold climate, the menu is dominated by dishes from meat, poultry, fish, cereals and root crops. A typical breakfast is a variety of cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, semolina, etc.), pancakes and dishes based on cottage cheese (casseroles, cheese cakes). A typical lunch usually consists of salad, soup and drink.
- Are there any special Russian dishes that foreigners like? Which and why?
- Borsch "Moskovsky", a cutlet in Kiev, herring under a fur coat, salad "Olivier", pancakes with caviar - are a visiting card of Russian cuisine and very popular with foreign tourists. Gourmets can appreciate the taste of Russian black caviar and dishes from sturgeon fishes (sterlet, sturgeon, etc.). Nourishing, varied and tasty dishes are invariably remembered for guests of our country.
Lubov Eliseeva
The manager of the restaurant "Stolovaya №57"
Taste of the US
Apple Pie
Apple pie was brought to the colonies by the British, Dutch, and Swedes during the 17th and 18th centuries. The mock apple pie made from crackers was likely invented for use aboard ships. It was known in the British Navy as early as 1812. The earliest known published recipes for mock apple pie date from the antebellum period of the 1850s. In the 1930s, and for many years afterwards, Ritz Crackers promoted a recipe for mock apple pie using its product, along with sugar and various spices.
Hamburger
In the United States, hamburgers may be classified into one of two primary categories fast food and individually prepared burgers made in homes and restaurants. The latter are traditionally prepared "with everything" also called "all the way", "deluxe", "the works", "dragged through the garden", or, in some regions, "all dressed." This usually includes lettuce, tomato, onion, and sliced pickles. The traditional American hamburger, prepared in homes and conventional restaurants, is thicker and prepared by hand from ground beef. At conventional American restaurants, hamburgers may be ordered "rare". However, normally they are served medium-well or well-done for food safety reasons. Fast food restaurants do not usually offer this cooking option.
In the United States, hamburgers may be classified into one of two primary categories fast food and individually prepared burgers made in homes and restaurants. The latter are traditionally prepared "with everything" also called "all the way", "deluxe", "the works", "dragged through the garden", or, in some regions, "all dressed." This usually includes lettuce, tomato, onion, and sliced pickles. The traditional American hamburger, prepared in homes and conventional restaurants, is thicker and prepared by hand from ground beef. At conventional American restaurants, hamburgers may be ordered "rare". However, normally they are served medium-well or well-done for food safety reasons. Fast food restaurants do not usually offer this cooking option.
Blini vs Pancakes:
A Tale of Two Breakfasts
A Tale of Two Breakfasts
When you think about an easy and delicious breakfast, what's the very first dish you'll think about? Of course, pancakes, or as Russians say blini.
Whatever the age of the pancake, it's clearly an ancient form of food. As evidenced by its ubiquity in cultural traditions across the globe. The ancient Greeks and Romans ate pancakes, sweetened with honey. The Elizabethans ate them flavored with spices, rosewater, sherry, and apples.
In the American colonies, pancakes commonly known as johnny cakes or flapjacks were made with buckwheat or cornmeal. The first all-American cookbook which was published in 1796 has two recipes for pancakes. One for a Johnny Cake, and one for a Hoecake.
In the depths of the Middle Ages, legends say that a famished traveller in what is now Russia was warming some oat jelly over a fire. As he cooked the traditional mixture, he was distracted by a joke from a friend, and accidentally let his mixture fry over the flames. With a little luck the first ever blini was born.
After this discovery, Pagans across the country made the small pancakes in honour of the sun festival Maslenitsa or Butter Week.
According to the legend, Maslenitsa lived in the north, and was the daughter of Father Frost. The frail girl Maslenitsa met a man who saw her, hiding behind huge snowdrifts. He approached and asked for her help to rescue her people who were tired of the long winter. On Shrove Tuesday she agreed, and turned into a healthy, ruddy woman, dancing and laughing, dishing out blini, which forced the human race to forget about the long winter and bad weather.
This is similar to America's very own Pancake Day. What's more, all throughout this week long celebration, people would eat nothing but the round, sun-shaped pancakes. Personally we can't think of anything better!
There are not major differences between these two symbols of Russian and American cuisine. However, there is some fine print.
There are four main differences between pancakes and blini.
In the American colonies, pancakes commonly known as johnny cakes or flapjacks were made with buckwheat or cornmeal. The first all-American cookbook which was published in 1796 has two recipes for pancakes. One for a Johnny Cake, and one for a Hoecake.
In the depths of the Middle Ages, legends say that a famished traveller in what is now Russia was warming some oat jelly over a fire. As he cooked the traditional mixture, he was distracted by a joke from a friend, and accidentally let his mixture fry over the flames. With a little luck the first ever blini was born.
After this discovery, Pagans across the country made the small pancakes in honour of the sun festival Maslenitsa or Butter Week.
According to the legend, Maslenitsa lived in the north, and was the daughter of Father Frost. The frail girl Maslenitsa met a man who saw her, hiding behind huge snowdrifts. He approached and asked for her help to rescue her people who were tired of the long winter. On Shrove Tuesday she agreed, and turned into a healthy, ruddy woman, dancing and laughing, dishing out blini, which forced the human race to forget about the long winter and bad weather.
This is similar to America's very own Pancake Day. What's more, all throughout this week long celebration, people would eat nothing but the round, sun-shaped pancakes. Personally we can't think of anything better!
There are not major differences between these two symbols of Russian and American cuisine. However, there is some fine print.
There are four main differences between pancakes and blini.
1
Size
There is an obvious difference between the size of pancakes and blini: pancakes are smaller, but thicker, and more fluffy, while blini are bigger, or as Russians say wider, and thinner.
2
Stuffing
Blini are commonly stuffed. Meat, ham, cheese, veggies and jam are all popular blini fillings. On the contrary, most people eat pancakes with butter and maple syrup,which is the most popular. It's not very practical to stuff a pancake, because it will break or lose its form.
3
Taste
This is a large difference. Blini can both be sweet or savory, but pancakes will always be sweet.
4
Recipe
Blinis use more milk, eggs and salt. Blini uses 500 milliliters of milk instead of 250 milliliters for pancakes, and three eggs instead of one. However, pancakes use more sugar and baking powder. Blini don't have these ingredients.
OUR TEAM
MARIA RYBNIKOVA
THE AUTHOR OF THE IDEA
ALEXANDER PRIVEZENTSEV
THE AUTHOR, EDITOR
ARINA RUZHEINIKOVA
THE EDITOR, AUTHOR
SONA DE APRO
THE EDITOR, AUTHOR
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