Post Punk Kitchen Forum

Hey,

I'm currently working with a bunch of Russian peeps and our boss wants to make a little (aka heavy on the vodka side) party so we all get to know each other better. I know she'll make borscht, but it might not even be the vegetarian version.

I thought I'd bring a bunch of pierogi so I won't starve to death, but I don't think it's very exciting. I would like to take a second or maybe even third dish. Any ideas? I googled and asked my mum (who studied in Russia, in the 60s!) but it's not easy.

I'd be very thankful if you had some suggestions, my mind is totally blank on that part.

Oh and it absolutely should be Russian dishes because not only half of our staff is Russian, but we work on Tchaikovsky's last opera, so the Russian evening/ party is definitely the theme.

Hmm, I can see why that's a bit challenging! The first thing I think of off the top of my head is blini with some sort of savoury topping. I've never tried this recipe, but I found this in a google search and it sounds interesting. If you don't want to make the "caviar", you can also buy a fishy-tasting "caviar" made out of seaweed. I'm not sure what brands would be available in Germany, buy Ikea sells a version in their food section that looks like this.

What about goulash? Or stuffed cabbage leaves (golabki).

stuffed cabbage leaves is a good idea.
Black bread,
Vegan borscht (the recipe from Voluptuous Vegan is CRAZY good)
vareniki dumplings stuffed with sour cherries
cabbage/cucumber/dill slaw salad
something with buckwheat?
vodka!
I wonder if it's possible to make homemade kvas? that stuff is so yum!

Yeah, kvas was originally homemade... I had a recipe for it kicking around and kept meaning to make it, but the bread always got moldy before it dried out enough...

Dry your bread out in the oven set at a low temp. That's how my partner did it, and made very good kvas. Well, at least we liked it and it was much better than the stuff we tried from the store, but I don't have a lot of kvas drinking experience, so I'm no expert kvas judge.

Vinigret! It's sort of like potato salad, but with beets and peaaaas. It is a beautiful bright pink!

Here's an example google came up with, but I wouldn't use the beans, the addition of beans is very weird to me. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/russian-vi ... eet-salad/

I had vinigret in my mind as well, in fact it's one of my favourites!
I also thought of blinis, but then again I would have to make them at hers? Or are they okay-tasting if they're cold?
I like the other ideas, will look further into them later :)

Poppy seed and walnut rolls!
They are super duper delicious. There is a recipe for them in World Vegan Feast. I've have a two pound bag of poppy seeds in my pantry for ages, but haven't gotten around to making them yet.

The serbian sauerkraut and seitan stew in world vegan feast might be another option - it's basically kapusta, which is definitely eaten in Ukraine and, I would assume, Russia as well.

Could you make mini pierogi stuffed with sauteed mushrooms to serve in veg borscht? That's a traditional veg christmas eve dish and very delicious and festive.

Has anyone made the poppy rolls in world vegan feast? My dad loves poppy bread and if it's good, I'll make him some next time he comes to visit.

Vegan salad Olivier, sometimes called Russian salad (and, for no reason, called French salad here):
Boil 1 kilo (about 2 pounds) of peas, cubed carrots and cubed potatoes. Add 1/3 kilo cubed pickled cucumbers. Add vegan mayonnaise (you can add just a little bit or so much that everything is covered in it), 1 Tbsp mustard; salt and pepper to taste. You can use black salt if you want it to smell eggy. (I often add corn and olives to it.)

I second poppy seed and walnut rolls!

Hi there, I would recommend playing it safe and not using a lot of spices/spicy food. I recommend mushroom goulash, or the veganomicon recipe for eggplant stew (but without the chickpeas). Ratatouille might work as well.
The kasha with mushroom recipe in Veganomicon is also a good choice.