Although the two countries of Russia and Poland are neighbours, and share certain Slavic similarities, the two national cuisines are very distinctive. Russian food has its roots in the peasant society of the past in ingredients such as cabbage, root vegetables and cereals, but through its borders it has also absorbed influences from Asia, Scandinavia, China and Europe, while its very varied geography allows for profound regional differences. Poland is much smaller and its climate and landscape less diverse, but its cuisine benefits from a land that is rich in natural resources. In this unique celebration of Russian and Polish food, a fascinating introduction provides an overview of national and regional differences, the festivals that mark the year, and the classic ingredients used. The stunning collection of over 150 recipes, gathered from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south, offer a rich, varied and culturally diverse cuisine with such dishes as Zurek (a sour rye soup) and Borscht (beetroot soup), the world-famous Pierogi and Pelmeni (delicious little dumplings) as well as hearty classics such as Beef Strogonoff, HunterĘs Stew and the fabulous salmon pie, Koulibiac. Both Russians and Poles love their national sweet dishes, and here there are many tempting cakes, pastries and desserts to choose from, including the delectable Russian Pashka as well as Polish gateaux and pancakes. With beautiful photographs showing each recipe in step-by-step detail, this evocative and inspiring book captures the wonderful essence of Russian and Polish cooking, and enables the reader to create wonderfully authentic dishes in their own home. Explore the rich and varied delights of Eastern Europe in over 150 authentic recipes An insightful introduction describes the geography, history, festivals and culinary traditions of Russia and Poland, and the typical local ingredients such as wild mushrooms, beetroot, spices, pork, smetana, caviar, vodka and seasonal fruits Features a wide range of distinctive dishes, from delicious soups, tempting little appetizers, wonderful fish, meat and vegetable dishes to rich desserts, cakes and pastries Whether you want to create wholesome dishes based on those of the centuries-old rural communities or create the luxurious food of the imperial courts, the recipes in this book provide the inspiration and knowledge to create classic Polish and Russian fare All the favourite Russian and Polish specialities are included, such as Borscht, Bigos, Chicken Kiev, Pierogi and Pashka More than 740 stunning photographs illustrate every recipe step by step, and complete nutritional information is provided throughout
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