170 russian recipes

This Eastern European compote simmers dried apples, pears, prunes, and raisins in apple cider with honey and warm spices. A make-ahead fruit dessert that improves over two weeks in the fridge.

Tahini and hazelnut dip with pan-roasted hazelnuts, garlic, lemon juice, and sesame paste. A nutty, creamy vegan dip with rich toasted flavor that deepens overnight in the fridge.

Traditional Russian Pascha (Paskha) made with cream cheese, butter, raisins, sultanas, and cherries, drained in muslin for 24 hours. A rich, no-bake Easter dessert.

Georgian chicken with tkemali-style plum sauce: whole chickens broiled with butter, served under a tart plum sauce spiked with garlic, coriander, and red pepper. A Caucasus classic.

Russian marinated herring (selyodka) layered in Mason jars with olives, dried chilis, coriander, mustard seeds, and a sweet vinegar brine. Ready after 5 to 7 days in the fridge.

Okroshka, a chilled Russian meat and vegetable soup with diced cucumber, hard-boiled eggs, sour cream, and mustard in an apple cider base standing in for traditional kvass.

Krestianskiy zavtrak is a hearty Russian peasant breakfast: pumpernickel croutons crisped in butter, layered with bacon, kielbasa, and onions, then topped with eggs cooked until the yolks stay just runny.

Green beans and butternut squash glazed in currant jelly, garlic butter, basil, and lemon juice, topped with toasted walnuts. A make-ahead holiday side dish.

Medianyky, traditional Ukrainian honey cookies spiced with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg, topped with almonds and sugar crystals. A fragrant holiday cookie with Old World charm.

Russian herring in mustard sauce with sour cream, olive oil, and capers. A classic cold zakuska appetizer that marinates for hours and pairs with dark bread and vodka.

Pisnyi borsch is a traditional Ukrainian meatless beet soup with dried boletus mushrooms, root vegetables, and beet kvas for a tart, jewel-toned broth served with vushka dumplings.

For as far as I can remember my Aunt made this custard filled cake that has what seemed like 100's of layers. Unbelievably good.

A tender bread with a slight orange taste. Excellent plain, toasted or for sandwiches.

Kutia is a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dish of whole wheat berries, ground poppy seeds, honey, walnuts, and raisins. A sweet, porridge-like ritual food.

Poppy seed roll: an Eastern European yeasted bread wrapped around a rich poppy seed filling sweetened with honey and orange-lemon zest. Holiday classic.

Kolach is a soft, enriched Eastern European braided bread: a milk-and-egg yeast dough braided into glossy golden loaves, brushed with egg glaze and sprinkled with poppy seeds. A festive holiday bread worth the rise.