Russia ~ Plum and Almond Tart ~ Sweets

 

Plum and Almond Tart

I have noticed that more often then not, my final product never looks like it does in the cookbooks. Is it just me? That's ok though because this tart tasted Wonderful! And really, in the end, isn't that all that matters?

So a little about this recipe. About a month ago, my favorite bookstore *so not my favorite, just the closest big name bookstore that carries tons of books* went out of business, and was having a sale. Yay for the sale! Boooo for the bookstore closing! 40 to 60% off of books, and of course I had to check out the bargain cookbooks section. That is where I found a grip of cookbooks from different countries *to add to my ever growing collection* so some of the recipes were gleaned from those. 

(It was a seriously awesome sale and I walked away with a huge bag of books all for under $50, R.I.P Borders) If you want the cookbook it is called "Russian, German & Polish food & cooking" by Lesley Chamberlain and the recipe is on page 86 (In my kitchen you can tell what I bake by the pages that have a dusting of flour on them) :p

Alright, enough with the rambling and on to the cooking!!

Russia ~ Olad'yi ~ Breakfast

 Olad'yi

(Pancakes)

You might be thinking, wow Danielle you sure like breakfast, and in all honesty you would be 100% right! Mornings are nice. I wake up before my kids do, I let out my gaggle of canines who then settle back down if I want to have some quiet time to myself, and it is nice to wake everyone up with the smell of a hearty meal where we all sit down and eat before we begin the day. How was that for a run on sentence? 

For some of you, mornings may mean a mad dash from the shower out the door to drop kids off at school, go to work or really any number of errands that we need to prepare for once we wake up. Breakfast, by no means, can only be served in the morning. 

Russia ~ Glazky ~ Breakfast

 Glazky *Basically Fried Eggs* Russian Style

I have not been intentionally neglecting the blog, really I haven't! I have still been cooking new recipes and even taking pictures with the intent of sitting down and updating everyone else. It is not that I don't want to share all these tasty new dishes with everyone so that they can enjoy them as well, it is just that here lately, with all the things I need to be doing, blogging seemed like a luxury that I felt guilty indulging in. With school back in session, I truly feel a bit scattered. Now that I have properly explained myself, or at least made myself feel better about ignoring you all, lets get back to the task at hand, and that is cooking!

The recipe I have today irritated me a bit, it was one I stumbled upon, easy to remember and make without needing "notes" and once I closed the site I found it from, it was lost to me until just recently. Now that I have found it once more however, here it is.

Russia ~ Kartoshka s Gribami

Kartoshka s Gribami

Or, Potatoes and Wild Mushrooms *If you use store bought cheap mushrooms I wonder if you can still call it that* 

Many of you *do many of you even read my blog?* may be wondering where in the heck I ran off too! I mean no new recipes! No new photos! Did this month scare me off? 

The answer is NO, this month did not scare me off :) 

I have been a horrible Blogger, not updating, not adding new content and even though I have made a few more things, I have neglected to sit down and share it with the rest of you. Booooo,.. I know. So lets remedy that shall we?

Russia ~ Breakfast ~ Sirniki

Sirniki

Feeling bad about my lack of motivation to heat up my kitchen for hearty meal, I decided that I would cook early in the morning to avoid my summer heat wave induced coma come 7 pm. My air conditioner did not complain too badly about the stove being on and all in all my house stayed cool, my kids stayed full and I stayed happy, not to mention, I have another recipe to blog about. 

What you see before you is pretty much a pancake, Russian style.

Preparation is a bit different, but the list of ingredients is minimal and today I could really get into minimal. It might come as a big surprise but I really don't dig the heat. 75 and below with a cool breeze and the sun out is pretty much perfect for me, anything over 85 and you will find me parked in front of a fan with an ice cold drink complaining. 

Right so, enough about me, on to the recipe.

India ~ Breakfast ~ Masala Aloo

Masala Aloo

Original Recipe

Ingredients

Serves 4

3 large potatoes

1/2 medium red onion chopped

2 green chillies, seeded and chopped

I medium tomato

1/2 teaspoon garlic paste

1/2 teaspoon ginger paste

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 

to taste salt 

1 teaspoon Mustard seeds

8-10 curry leaves (fresh or dry)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 

Preparation 

prep time 10 mins/cook time 10 mins

1. Peel and cube the potatoes into roughly half inch cubes. Cover with water and cook in Microwave for 5-6 mins. Drain.

2. Heat oil in a pan, When oil is smoking add mustard seeds and allow to splatter. (keep covered) Then add chopped onions, chillies and coriander leaves. Fry till onions turn transparent. Add ginger and garlic paste, turmeric and stir for 1-2 mins. Add potatoes and salt to taste. Cover and cook for 5-6 mins, stirring once or twice. Add tomatoes and peas and cook for a few more minutes until peas are soft. Mix well.

3. Serve hot with chapatis/parathas or other flat bread.

Don't Panic if you don't have all the ingredients!