Russian | Charlotte's VVeb

Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Cheese

12/04/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

While the Russians may not have created signature cauliflower cheese they do indeed have their version and enjoy it with gusto. It’s a great side dish or one for their zakuski board. It’s by far one of my favourite ways to eat cauliflower, only perhaps overshadowed by fried cauliflower in breadcrumbs.

Here’s my recipe…

Ingredients

Cauliflower florets

3 tbsp plain flour

100g butter

500ml milk

500ml sour cream

100g grated hard cheese

Instructions

Boil the florets in water for five minutes, drain and set aside

Heat the flour in 50g butter until golden brown

Add another 50g of butter to the pan and the milk

Whisk continuously to prevent lumps

Allow the sauce to thicken, then add sour cream

Simmer for five minutes

Put the cauliflower into a greased gratin dish

Pour over the hot sauce

Sprinkle with grated cheese (to ensure the top browns, add a few tbsp of butter to the top)

Bake in the oven on 180°C until golden brown (approximately 25 minutes)

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Russian Orthodox Church & Cultural Center in Paris

08/04/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

Russian architects, Arch-group, and French studio, Sade Sarl, have won an international competition to design a Russian Orthodox church and cultural centre adjacent to the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. The cultural and spiritual centre will include a large public garden with a surrounding glass wall of multimedia screens which will be open to the public. A glass canopy will partially cover part of the garden, joining the stone cultural centre and church with nine golden onion domes.

The design of the church will be influenced by the Russian Orthodox churches built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The church will have five onion domes, three naves, and lateral sanctuaries. Large slabs of white limestone will be imported from Russia for the building. The interior will boast traditional wall paintings in the style of Andrei Rublev.

It is expected that the project will be financed by the state, church, its contractors and sponsors.

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Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Marinated Sardines

02/03/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

Talk to most people about Russian cuisine and the likelihood is they’ll say, “Don’t they just eat meat and potatoes; or eat caviar and drink vodka?” I’m hoping to try and change people’s attitudes as there is so much more to this nation’s cuisine. One of my favourite Russian zakuski dishes (though I realise they are not to everyone’s taste) are marinated sardines. They are served cold so they are an ideal starter for a dinner party as they can be prepared in advance.

Here’s my recipe…

Ingredients

Sardines, gutted and cleaned

2 white onions, finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped

1 parsnip, peeled and finely chopped

2 tbsp rapeseed oil

500ml fish stock

1 bay leaf

4 tbsp cider vinegar

50g plain flour

Instructions

Toss the sardines in flour and fry in oil until browned

Remove sardines from pan and allow to cool

Meanwhile, fry the vegetables in oil

Pour over the stock and add the bay leaf

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes

Add vinegar to taste and leave to cool

Pour the marinade over the sardines and allow to marinade for up to three hours

To serve, place on a platter and drizzle over the marinade

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Assorti Delivery – Russian & Asian Cuisine in London

25/02/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

A little while ago I came across a take-away menu for Assorti in London’s West End. Assorti is a very small restaurant serving up traditional Russian and Central Asian cuisine and providing take-away and delivery to those who want to enjoy these dishes at home. Let’s face it, this is an eternity away from pizza, Chinese or Indian to which we have all become accustomed to. The small restaurant is open Monday to Sunday, 12 noon to 10.30pm.

Check out the menu below…

For more information visit www.assortidelivery.co.uk

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Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Meatballs Braised in Sour Cream

03/02/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

The Russians are not commonly famed for their cuisine yet the nation boasts some fantastic dishes. In my opinion, the simple are always the best and I love these Russian beef meatballs braised in sour cream which would make up a zakuski board for guests upon arrival. They are very easy to make, though they do require some time as it is best to chill them thoroughly before cooking to prevent them breaking up.

Here’s my recipe…

Ingredients

500g minced beef

50g breadcrumbs

3 tbsp chopped parsley

1 small white onion, grated

20g plain flour

25g butter

3 tbsp sunflower oil

700ml sour cream

Instructions

Mix the beef, two tbps of parsley, breadcrumbs and onion

Form the mixture into small balls

Roll the balls in the flour

Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes

Fry each ball in oil and butter

Rest the meatballs until just before serving

When you want to serve them, heat sour cream in a saucepan and add the meatballs

When everything is thoroughly heated serve and sprinkle with remaining parsley

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Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Grated Carrot with Horseradish

26/01/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

Russian zakuski dishes are small, introductory dishes normally served to guests on arrival after a long journey and prior to an indulgent feast. Carrot is a popular and cheap base for many zakuski recipes. This particular concoction is entirely that, an amalgamation of several recipes. The taste may be a bit unusual but it is certainly pleasing. Plus, it also makes a great alternative salad side dish.

Here’s my recipe…

Ingredients

2 carrots, finely grated

200ml sour cream

50ml creamed horseradish

Juice and zest of one lemon

Cracked black pepper for seasoning

Instructions

Place carrot in a bowl

Drizzle over lemon juice

Mix the sour cream and horseradish

Top with cracked black pepper and lemon zest

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RSV’s Fountain of Youth – A New Year, A New You

12/01/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

Russian Standard Vodka Fountain of Youth

Forget detoxing this January, it’s a miserable enough month as it is to deny yourself the pleasure of a good cocktail. However, if you are being lured to the dark side, then never fear, a fabulous Fountain of Youth cocktail, created by Russian Standard Vodka, may be the answer to your prayers.

This fresh and fruity cocktail includes delicious pomegranate juice which contains three times more antioxidants than green tea or red wine. Drinking pomegranate juice helps keep blood vessels from hardening, bring more oxygen to the heart and prevents bad cholesterol from being deposited on the arteries.

So how do you make this magic drink I hear you ask! Just follow the steps below…

Ingredients

35ml / 1.7 fl oz Russian Standard
40ml / 2 fl oz Pomegranate juice, fresh squeezed where available
20g / 0.7 oz thinly sliced ginger

Instructions

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice

Double strain and pour into a martini glass

Garnish with a piece of ginger and pass a mint leaf around the glass rim

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Russian Shop near Waterloo, South Bank, London

10/01/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

I was recently told about a small Russian shop close to Waterloo train station on South Bank in London. Just before Christmas, when I was in the area, I spotted a sign to the small shop, so thought I’d finally investigate. The Russian Shop is quite hidden so you will have to look out for it. Walk through the door and down a dark, narrow staircase and the shop is located on the right. Granted this place is small, the smallest of small, but it is crammed with lots of my favourite Russian products including cheeses, meats, sweets, beer, vodka, and even delicious honey cake.

If you’re in the area and want a taste of Russian, pop in! But be warned, as expected, Russian is the only tongue spoken here! If you are feeling particularly adventurous there is also a Russian hair salon nextdoor!

Russian Shop, Cornwall Road, London SE1

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A la Ville de Petrograd: Russian Restaurant in Paris

08/04/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Just opposite the Cathedrale Alexandre Nevski is a wonderful little Russian restaurant: A la Ville de Petrograd!

The exterior artwork boasts typical Russian motifs and designs.

All so incredibly endearing you can’t help but want to go inside and check out the menu.

And the menu is just as traditional.

There are plenty of salads, caviar, borsch, blinis and stroganoff to keep any Russophile happy!

There are also several set menu options starting at just 15 Euros.

A la Ville de Petrograd, 13 Rue de Daru, Paris, 75008.

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Russian Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010-11 Round-up

06/04/201019/10/2016 by Charlotte J

It’s that time of year again when the elite of the fashion world head to Moscow to see what we should all be wearing next winter. Check out all the latest trend news straight from the catwalk in Moscow here

Jana Gataullina

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Key to the Jana Gataullina collection was layering. Ensembles were easy, flowing and generally a-symmetrical with a casual vibe.