Russian Cuisine: From Myth to Science

The kitchen is one of the most mythologized parts of Russian culture. Discussions about it are filled with stereotypes: they often distort facts and create almost fantastic ideas about the origins of dishes and the conditions in which they were... prepared and served. Meanwhile, the real history of Russian cuisine is more interesting and complex than the created myths: the changes it underwent were closely related to social life, politics, the economy, and the influence of other cultures. The book by well-known culinary historians Olga and Pavel Syutkins is a study that clarifies many points. How did the Russian oven appear, what role did religion play in the establishment of the kitchen, what were the dishes that are now perceived as stereotypically Russian, and how did culinary traditions change during the Soviet era? The book contains original recipes for many dishes, including those that are almost forgotten; you can prepare ear, vereshchaka, sbiten, or botvinya even today.