Russian
A generous, warming cuisine: thin blini, rich soups, pies and porridges. Simple ingredients, tested over centuries.
Russian cuisine is built on simple, hearty staples: flour, dairy, long-storing vegetables like cabbage, potato and beetroot, and generous baking. Blini are one of the oldest and most recognizable symbols — they were baked as a ritual dish even before the adoption of Christianity, and today they're served with honey, sour cream, caviar, or various fillings. The cuisine is seasonal and homely by nature: shchi soup, kasha, pies — dishes designed for a big family and a cold climate. Here are classic Russian recipes, starting with thin blini that are easy to make at home with just a handful of ingredients.
Pelmeni with Meat Filling
Olivier Salad
Borscht with Beetroot and Meat
Russian Thin Blini
Frequently asked questions
How are Russian blini different from American pancakes?
Russian blini are thin and elastic, cooked from a very thin layer of batter, while pancakes are thick and fluffy thanks to baking powder. Blini are closer to French crepes.
Why does the first blin often turn out wrong?
The pan isn't evenly heated yet and isn't greased enough, so the first blin tends to stick or tear. By the second one, the pan is properly "seasoned" for cooking.
What do you traditionally eat blini with?
Blini are served with sour cream, honey, jam, cottage cheese, red caviar, or filled with meat, mushrooms, and cheese, folded into little envelopes or rolls.