tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post1955796761041866894..comments2024-02-16T02:33:52.334-08:00Comments on In The Writer's Closet: Russian ABC: B Is for BorschtNatalia Lialinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-26850361038992143472014-04-25T15:44:54.290-07:002014-04-25T15:44:54.290-07:00I'll be happy to hear about your borscht some ...I'll be happy to hear about your borscht some day, Krista! I hope you'll like it. :)<br /><br />There is something completely touching when we post out childhood photos on our blogs. It's getting to know each other on a whole new level, much more intimate I think.Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-80603092054544967702014-04-23T13:56:02.709-07:002014-04-23T13:56:02.709-07:00I love this post! Seeing you as a young girl with...I love this post! Seeing you as a young girl with your family has me smiling and then to see your daughter holding your doll and her new one, is pretty special. I will try this recipe for sure. It's sounds amazing and full of LOVE!<br />XXOOOOKristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00350442910321860733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-4571508939321378202014-04-18T10:39:35.495-07:002014-04-18T10:39:35.495-07:00thanks for the link - i have to throw the text in ...thanks for the link - i have to throw the text in the translation programm...<br />my mom used to make soljanka for partys, it was a huge trend in 70´s/80´s GDR - schaschlik and krimsekt too.<br /><br />i can not be sure about my roots. the problem is the grandparent generation would never admit to be not german, so any traditions or roots to the slavic ancestors are lost. i have only my feelings and my face and pictures of a maternal great granny (born at the curonian spit) and the paternal granny (iser mountains, now czechia), showing round cute faces :-) <br />but apart from newer Slavic immigrants like my grannys the area here was already settled from slavs before the franc / German came, around 900. many locations here have Slavic place names. do you know Dresden? its the slavic "place in a swamp" :-)<br />xxxx<br />bahnwärterinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032478343344432338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-80295173136298058692014-04-18T09:41:25.908-07:002014-04-18T09:41:25.908-07:00Oh I am so glad that this can be helpful to you! D...Oh I am so glad that this can be helpful to you! Dill is a must for me, but I usually put a little in the pot and just add more to my bowl. And only fresh dill - dry is just not the same... My grandma was also a wonderful baker. Oh the things she made! I wish I learned it from her.Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-69959021966749217802014-04-18T03:33:11.996-07:002014-04-18T03:33:11.996-07:00What a lovely family photo! Thanks for this post. ...What a lovely family photo! Thanks for this post. My Russian Grandma used to make borscht and it was wonderful. Alas, I am not sure if her recipe survives. Her daughter, my aunt, used to make it but hers had too much dill. I saw my Grandma not so often as she lived in another province, so borscht really reminds me of her. I will have to try your recipe. It looks intensive!<br />P.S. Grandma would also make the best cinnamon buns. Not sure if they were from a Russian recipe but they rocked! XoxoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-63245234047175662822014-04-17T18:28:52.691-07:002014-04-17T18:28:52.691-07:00I looooove Gazpacho! I can eat it all day long! Ti...I looooove Gazpacho! I can eat it all day long! Till it is gone, as in "completely". And so are some other cold soups, including Russian okroshka - love it, love it! Cold soups are great on a hot day. I think you might not like them because you grew up in such a mild climate. It's rarely get hot here, and almost never humid hot. Very dry compared to what I get used to (both in Siberia and Midwest). Even though, I grew up in Siberia, I know what extremely hot Summer weather looks like. It can get close to 40 C in the area where I am from, not quite, but easily 33-36 C, and humid! Cold okroshka is the best kind of food on day like this. But it is not for everyone, I know. My brother doesn't like it, and he is Russian. :)) It is originally made with a fermented drink (kvas), but other variety can replace kvas with kefir or even beer (I haven't tried that one), or just water mixed with vinegar (I love that kind). <br /><br />I am OK with PB, just not my fave. I sure will eat it if there is nothing else available and I am hungry. Interesting to try real stuff! I am extremely curious about food and like almost everything. :) Not exactly, but you get my meaning. <br /><br />Nice chatting with you!Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-74393775074703029332014-04-17T18:01:01.515-07:002014-04-17T18:01:01.515-07:00You haven't had peanut butter until you've...You haven't had peanut butter until you've had the real stuff, pure peanuts and a bit of salt. Don't eat that garbage with the sugar and oils added. <br />I don't find the idea of cold soups appealing at all. It's like that French vishyssoise, which is potato soup and I would much rather have that hot. And cold fruit soups don't make any sense to me unless you stir them into yogurt or something like that. OH but I do like some Gazpacho recipes so I guess there is one cold soup I like.<br />But mostly the appeal of soup is that it is hot and comforting. <br />I love the idea of cooking parties but have never been to one nor held one. I am definitely going to try to convince my friend Sheila that she should come over to make borsht or at least drink wine and watch me make it. LOL I can't imagine wanting to adapt it much other than needing to use purchased stock.<br />xoShawna McComberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11296162660865309624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-27931860728819230482014-04-17T15:55:41.352-07:002014-04-17T15:55:41.352-07:00So glad that you mention the ABC idea. It won'...So glad that you mention the ABC idea. It won't be on regular basis, but I am very much looking forward to do it.<br /><br />I always liked the idea of cooking parties, but so far I did it only with my family - making traditional Russian dumplings is an old family tradition. We also made sushi a couple of times with my parents and Anya, that was fun! I think making borscht with your friend is a great idea. Some making, some wine... fun! :))<br /><br />I am sure that you will adopt this recipe to your liking. There are so many ways to make borscht. But it must be HOT! That's my requirement. :) Cold soups with beets have different ingredients, different technology, different names in Russian. And I don't think Westerners would appreciate them much, it's just too unfamiliar (it's like me with peanut butter... I of course CAN it it... but why bother? ;)) While hot country vegetable soup... what not to like about it, right? :)Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-34848603816941187112014-04-17T14:14:51.553-07:002014-04-17T14:14:51.553-07:00This looks so delicious and I can't wait to ma...This looks so delicious and I can't wait to make it. Hopefully next week I will have a chance to get the ingredients. I am not really able to make my own stock right now, that's too much work for me though of course that's the way I used to do things. I might even invite a friend over to make it with me. That would be fun. I'm so glad to know that I can eat it hot and still be authentic. I never worry about fat in my diet, not healthy fats anyhow, I just avoid trans fats. It's sugars and starches I keep to a minimum. <br /><br />I love your idea of sharing your Russian traditions and history and the ABC idea is a good one! Love seeing the picture of your family too. Thanks for sharing it and so sweet of you to mention me. <br />Hugses!<br />xoShawna McComberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11296162660865309624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-3864881102512125492014-04-17T10:19:45.198-07:002014-04-17T10:19:45.198-07:00Thank you, Suzanne! I had fun writing it, and it a...Thank you, Suzanne! I had fun writing it, and it actually made me VERY hungry! So I really ended up cooking borscht yesterday! Crazy, huh? :)))Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-87693782408584678952014-04-17T10:17:54.048-07:002014-04-17T10:17:54.048-07:00Oh I will be so happy if you make it! I agree with...Oh I will be so happy if you make it! I agree with you - nothing is better than having a homemade soup in a fridge for a day when you are just tired and need some reassurance. Well, maybe shepherd's pie is better. :)))Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-29891634718831408622014-04-17T10:16:07.294-07:002014-04-17T10:16:07.294-07:00I'd be happy to be your neighbor and have you ...I'd be happy to be your neighbor and have you over for a nice hot bowl of borscht, Elsie! :) And I am glad that I was able to show you something new - you always share wonderful recipes which are absolutely new to me! :) Happy Borscht!!! :)Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-86155307503695262922014-04-17T10:13:29.318-07:002014-04-17T10:13:29.318-07:00There is something special to see my kid playing w...There is something special to see my kid playing with my old beloved dolly, I have to admit. Not that she plays with it in reality, but it was touching to see them together, even for just a photo. :)<br /><br />I am sure you had lots of giggles and lovely memories with your Mum and Dad going through old photos. It is always so much fun and we all need to do it from time to time. I remember, I used to ask my mom to tell me stories of her childhood... loved them! She is too far away now...<br /><br />I hope you'll enjoy borscht! This recipe is a guaranteed success! :)Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-85159573599704728942014-04-17T10:08:50.849-07:002014-04-17T10:08:50.849-07:00Aww how sweet of Jon! Thank you for your kind word...Aww how sweet of Jon! Thank you for your kind words, my dear. They are a handsome bunch! And so very loving and kind, and accepting. How they even got to be like this? Amazing... Granddad was one of my most favorite people when I was little. He passed away when I was 7, so I don't have many memories of him, but I remember the way I FELT being around him... such unspeakable kindness... mt father and his brother are the same way. Just adore them.<br /><br />Thank you for your compliments to my recipe writing - it's a high praise coming from you. I tried to make it as clear as possible. It is considered a complicated dish, but really,,, it's easy... just fresh veggies and lots of love! :)<br /><br />I will make a post featuring my lovely cats. I showed them a couple of times before, but they are so cute and lovable - they deserve to be in a spotlight. :)Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-13712417905175604392014-04-17T10:02:18.679-07:002014-04-17T10:02:18.679-07:00It's funny that only after I posted this, I re...It's funny that only after I posted this, I read what Wiki has to say about borscht. There are a few different spellings! My guess it all depends what region it came from - and what language adapted it. There are only 4 letters in borscht in the Russian language... but there are other Slavic languages (like Bulgarian) which have more letters. Languages are fascinating to me...<br /><br />I am very touched that you are touched... do you have Slavic roots, Beate?<br /><br />I will be soooo happy if you just give it a try and add a tiny beet to your borscht. But don't force yourself. You apparently can make a beetless borscht too - that's what's common in some areas (I did not know about it). I will be very interested to learn what kind of borscht Olga makes - she is from Belarus, yet another culture and traditions.<br /><br />Yes, solyanka (or solianka, or soljanka) is a thick soup with variety of meats and sausages, pickles, olives, capers... super rich and super tasty! Mama doesn't make solyanka, and I tried it in other families, and probably tried to make it a couple of times myself. I found this recipe - so you can compare if it looks like something you've tried or not<br /><br />http://gotovim-doma.ru/view.php?r=343-recept-Solianka-sbornaia-miasnaia<br /><br />Happy Easter, my dear friend!Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-49257181353666148172014-04-17T09:51:38.286-07:002014-04-17T09:51:38.286-07:00I couldn't agree more, Curtise! Love and heart...I couldn't agree more, Curtise! Love and heartiness are the key in cooking. I know my cooking is not the same when I am exhausted - we usually just eat out then. :) <br /><br />In different regions, they use somewhat different ingredients for borscht. I red that some don't add cabbage, and also there is beetless variety of borscht which really surprised me because I thought of borscht as "beet soup"... Some country cooks prefer a very thick, stew-like borscht with lots of beans, sausages, bacon, and they cook cabbage till it is very soft. All varieties are very yummy! You just can't go wrong with borscht. <br /><br />I adore this family photo - it' one of my favorite! How sweet of you to notice my mom smiling at dad - I just love it. These two are still in love after almost 50 years together. My brother and I are very fortunate to be their children. I guess, my brother is behind the camera - he was interested in photography since he was very young boy (5 years older than me). My parents just discovered this photo at Grandma's sister who is well in her 80s, and made a copy for me before they visited in 2012.<br />Natalia Lialinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552652475347261756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-54791815389065306952014-04-17T09:26:39.173-07:002014-04-17T09:26:39.173-07:00What a cool photo and history! It is so wonderful...What a cool photo and history! It is so wonderful that your daughter has your doll. <br /><br />This has made me very hungry. I love borscht. I have my own recipe but this looks lovely. Great job on the step by step detailed recipe!<br /><br />bisous<br />SuzanneSuzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03891315017218863243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-51255482080589525192014-04-17T09:02:27.733-07:002014-04-17T09:02:27.733-07:00I love homemade soup and make it often so I have s...I love homemade soup and make it often so I have something healthy I can eat when I get in from work, instead of diving into the biscuit tin. Your photo tutorial looks very easy to follow. I don't recall ever having Borscht but I like all your ingredients so I will give it a go, thank you.<br />Love the family photos. xxJayne Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01531659668595845416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-61483118408394405302014-04-17T05:54:39.480-07:002014-04-17T05:54:39.480-07:00I have never heard of nor tried this soup but my o...I have never heard of nor tried this soup but my o my does it look delicious! I so wish you were my neighbor so I could pop over for some :), I will just have to try and cook it myself then. Yum, Yum, Yum.thecookingwardrobehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06958804420056915556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-4736363188778616192014-04-17T04:01:41.314-07:002014-04-17T04:01:41.314-07:00Oh Yes! I love borscht! I have only eaten a proper...Oh Yes! I love borscht! I have only eaten a proper one once, and had 2 dismal failures trying to recreate it, and now you have shared your wonderful recipe I am going to make it next week when the children are back in school, I just need to pick up a couple of ingredients and I'm ready!<br />It's so lovely to see your family in the photo, I do like older family pics, funnily enough we had a lovely time yesterday at my Mum and Dad's going through our old family pics! I think it's lovely Anya has your old doll x x xPeaches McGintyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10431944936195385931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-42024699968502149132014-04-17T04:00:50.429-07:002014-04-17T04:00:50.429-07:00Jon's just snuck up behind me to marvel at you...Jon's just snuck up behind me to marvel at your family photo. There's some very handsome men in your family, aren't there?<br />When I trained as a chef we made Borscht and Blinis but that was another lifetime ago and I'm sure I could make a vegetarian version from your wonderfully clear instructions.<br />Loving seeing Anya with your beloved dolly and very excited to glimpse your beautiful puss cat in the background. xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-38758474339861268522014-04-17T02:15:05.737-07:002014-04-17T02:15:05.737-07:00oh - i can almost smell it!
maybe i use only one t...oh - i can almost smell it!<br />maybe i use only one teeny tiny beetroot for a 10l pot.... <br /><br />love all the family pictures in both posts (this and the asian one). for the western eye - especially the north american - the midcentury pictures must look like around 1900. when I saw the photos, I've become quite melancholy, no idea why it touched me so. genes? sadly i lost all my russian language i learnt in school. it's like with the red beets - if you are forced to something then you can not like it....<br />btw - in the gdr we called it "borschtsch". no idea where this came from. and i have a question: is "soljanka" really a russian soup? or is it just made up by clever gastronomes like toast hawaii?<br /><br />i wish you and your little family a happy easter!!!!<br />xxxxbahnwärterinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032478343344432338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759460753738753423.post-13243339321606347982014-04-17T01:35:10.366-07:002014-04-17T01:35:10.366-07:00I had no idea so many different ingredients went i...I had no idea so many different ingredients went into borscht - I have eaten it (and enjoyed it) before but never made it myself. Yours does indeed look delicious. I do think homemade soups are a real joy, like any food that relies on love in the preparation and heartiness, rather than great technique and expensive ingredients! <br />It is always so interesting to read about your family history, Natasha (I am choosing your informal friendly name today!) The photo of your father's side of your family is fabulous, I love how your mum is smiling across at your dad, and look at his confident, comfortable posture. What a handsome family! <br />I wonder if your recipe will convince Beate that beetroot is good... xxxCurtisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362184504889147455noreply@blogger.com