Windows to Russia

Hello,

The world was making Draniki (potato pancakes) before Russia had potatoes, but Russians still think that they have the best Draniki. It seems that Belarus had potatoes about 75 years before Russia did and Draniki is the national food of Belarus, so for this article we will give Belarus the claim for this recipe. There are many other names for potato pancakes all over the world – latkes, deruny, reiberdatschi, kartoffelpuffer, rårakor, raggmunk, gamjajeon, rösti, boxty and papas rellenas are to name a few.

As all foods in the world, everyone has a better recipe then the neighbor. 🙂

Lets make some Draniki:

Ingredients:
12 medium potatoes
2 eggs
1/2 glass or cup of sour milk or sour cream
salt to taste

First:
Peel the potatoes and grate them, add sour milk, eggs, salt (to taste) and mix everything.

Attention – *Now timing is important in this recipe. Once potatoes are cut they oxidize and start to loose flavor. So grate fast and get mixed. The quicker all potatoes are covered in egg and sour milk the better.*

Second:
Heat a large skillet layered in oil.(medium temperature)

Third:
Scoop a mass of potato mixture and carefully lay in the hot oiled skillet. Keep separated from each other (each pancake no more then 10 cm or 4″ in diameter).

Fourth:
Cook until crisp and browned, then turn on the other side.

Fifth:
Once done remove from skillet and lay on a plate covered with a clean paper towel to absorb excess grease. (or how every you are comfortable to remove excess oils.)

Sixth:
Taste finished product so that you make sure they are good. You may have to taste several times. 🙂

Seventh:
Time to eat – serve hot with sour cream. (Yummy)

Notes: You can add pork fat, crackling’s, fatback, onion, garlic, black pepper, herbs, ham chunks, mushrooms, cheese or really just about anything. These can be American style and be made out of mashed potatoes. Just use your imagination…

These also can be served with a variety of toppings. Honey, jams, jellies, ketchup, mustard and so on…

Windows to Russia!
comments always welcome.

Hello,

I want to talk about the dumb way how I follow the Russian economy. I call it the Egg Meter:

First off – this idea started with me in America. I used milk and eggs to track with in the USA. The idea is to track the price every time that you buy these items. Keep it in your head or write it down, does not matter. As the price of these items go up and down, I try to notice what changes I see happening in the federal, state and local economy.

Well in Russia, I use just eggs: (grade A medium type) Today I bought eggs at 23 rubles. That is for ten eggs, not 12 like in America. Last month the high was 37 rubles. I have watched a steady drop in price for a month now. I also have seen a lot more people out and moving about, with smiles more often. Things are quieter about the global finance issues. (Milk by the way was 25 rubles, that is great. It was up to 35 rubles.)

When the eggs had reached a high of 37 rubles the people seemed to be more hidden and not as openly happy. At 37 rubles it was grumble, rumble and grumble all over. The world was coming to an end on the TV. I also get more (well maybe lots more) grouchy paying this higher price. (maybe that is why everyone seems grumpily to me. :))

Now at 23 rubles they and I still grumble but the rumble is gone. Why?

Well when you can go to the store and get a carton of 10 eggs, 1 big loaf of black bread, 1 liter of milk and a beer for under a 100 rubles. (I transplant the beer with Diet Cola.) What more do you need?

Then that could be what makes you happy… 🙂

Windows to Russia!
comments always welcome.

PS: a 100 rubles equals about 3 dollars, give or take. What do eggs cost where you are at?

Hello,

I was drinking my morning coffee and remembered an article from Russia Today that I read before bed last night. So I hunted it down and it was as good as I remembered.

Russia it seems started an Idea back in 2006 and actually broke ground (So to speak) in 2007. Then the project it seems ran into internal issues, issues that shut it down for awhile. But as all great ideas, they resurface again sooner or later. Check this article out from The Resilient Earth!

The Putin dream of floating nuclear reactors will not die out. For you see, Russia has huge plans for the Arctic and its gas and oil. These are the perfect way to power offshore and far from civilization oil and gas rigs.

Now this idea has a host of screamers and jumpers, people who think that this is a bad idea. It seems that Russia has intentions of mass producing these nuclear barges and selling them to who ever wants them. Something like 400 units by 2030. (with in reason and after ringing the Arctic with them)

Russia has been busy with her intentions about the Arctic and as I have written before, Russia has a vision to control most of the Arctic area. The world is way behind Russia in her Arctic grab. Russia has been on the move in that direction while the rest of the world is in a stagnated dream in the Middle East and their oil wars.

A crazy idea from Russia? or An idea that has promise from Russia?

Maybe we will find out in a few years…

Windows to Russia
comments always welcome.

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee here in Moscow, Russia. I was thinking about America and this new Western Press saying: “Greens Shoots!” (The saying now associated with the recession ending in America.)

I came across this very good video about an interview between Russia Today and Naomi Klein from Canada who is an award-winning journalist, syndicated columnist, and international bestselling author….

I watched this several times and I really can not say that I disagree with very much of what she says. This lady has a solid look at the American fallacies being played with capitalism and what direction America is headed toward with these fallacies.

Russia Today has been doing a thorough job getting a rounded view point out with well known intellects that are willing to express what they see. These are people who have been correct more than once and have been calling the score for years. It seems that these people are saying that America is drowning by her own doing.

These are also the same people that CNN, Time and other Western Press will not give the time of day too, people who will not talk about “Green Shoots”. (That should give you a hint right there, about right and wrong.)

Have you ever stopped to wonder what the rest of the world thinks about America and her “Green Shoots”?

America owes an insurmountable debt to the world. The world is now turning their back on America very slowly. China is working on a deal with Brazil (Latin America also) to trade in their currencies not Dollars. Countries all over the world are looking at a new way to do business with each other. Russia is working on getting oil and gas traded in Rubles. The US dollar is also no longer Russia’s basic reserve currency anymore, that has become the Euro. Rumors are that China is working their way to the same effect with Dollars. Russia and China are in the midst of some of the largest oil and gas deals that the world has ever seen or comprehended.

Japan who is tied strictly to the USA economy is crashing below a 50 year low, so Japan is going to have to look at other parts of the world to survive. Russia’s Prime Minister Putin just spent a week with Japan getting deals made and done from energy deals to an export and import deals for the future.

Every data figure that America gives out to the world is a laugh, the First report is always slightly better than expected (called green shoots), Second report is what was expected (called an adjustment), by the Third and final report it was worse than expected (called shhhhhhh), but by then everyone is worried about the next report.

My Grandma use to say: “Do not over fertilize those new “Green Shoots” growing, they will die!” This was said during the process of spreading the chicken manure on the gardens.

“America just announced to the whole world, The Budget from Hell:

From 2010 to 2019, Obama projects annual deficits totaling $7.1 trillion; that’s atop the $1.8 trillion deficit for 2009. By 2019, the ratio of publicly held federal debt to gross domestic product (GDP, or the economy) would reach 70 percent, up from 41 percent in 2008. That would be the highest since 1950 (80 percent). The Congressional Budget Office, using less optimistic economic forecasts, raises these estimates. The 2010-19 deficits would total $9.3 trillion; the debt-to-GDP ratio in 2019 would be 82 percent. But wait: Even these totals may be understated. By various estimates, Obama’s health plan might cost $1.2 trillion over a decade… (Read More from Robert J. Samuelson)”

So while you call me un-American and multiples of other names names for daring to question America and her motives. Just stop a minute and think first.

My Grandma always said: “Give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves!” (I think that could be applied to Nations also.)

If I can get just one person to think about what is happening in America, then I have made a difference. People in Russia and other parts of the world see what is happening…

Windows to Russia!
comments always welcome.

PS: Want something to think about? Have you seen the reports and pictures of millions of cars sitting at the coast line because they can not be sold. (Link)

Hello,

This is a sad tale of a Toy Store in Moscow, Russia that is no more. Watch the video then come back to the story…

That store that you just watched is no longer in existence. This was the most wonderful “Children Toy Store” that you ever saw.

It was not a victim of the global financial crises, but a victim of Humans who do not care about culture and traditions.

I was taken to this Toy Store almost two years ago. We were very lucky that we went and took pictures and videos. For you see, after I got to visit this wonderful fairyland for children. They closed the doors forever. Svet and I walked by the building the other day. It is a boarded up stripped out building that because of the financial crises the building is now an empty husk that could instead of had a Beautiful Toy Store still operating in Moscow, Russia…

Windows to Russia!

comments always welcome.

Russia News Source – RIA: May 19th, 2009!

Russian Orthodox Church commemorates St. Job’s day:
With unemployment in Russia rising sharply amid the global economic crisis, the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrating the day of St. Job, who lost everything but was ultimately rewarded for his faith.

Norway wants to work with Russia on European gas market:
Norway’s prime minister told Russia’s president on Tuesday that the countries have shared interests in the natural gas sphere, and should work together to boost their market share in Europe.

EU may face gas supply shortages without new pipelines:
Without new supply routes from Russia, Europe will struggle to receive the additional 80-100 billion cubic meters of gas it will need by 2020, a top official at Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Tuesday.

Two fires hit first McDonalds in downtown Moscow in one night:
First outbreak of fire in McDonalds took place around midnight in an air chute. The fire in the basement began at 4-30. Both fires have been put out.

Russia sets up commission to prevent falsification of history:
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the establishment of a special commission to counter attempts to falsify history to the detriment of Russia’s interests, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

Ukraine’s leader repeats call to review gas deal with Russia:
Ukraine’s president has said he is confident that the “unprofessional” natural gas contracts signed with Russia earlier this year will soon be reviewed, as Ukraine will be unable to meet its obligations under the current terms.

Saakashvili says ‘Georgia will never go back to the past’:
Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili said the instability that plagued the rule of former Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze would never return to the country despite the efforts of radical opposition groups.

UN chief submits delayed Caucasus report:
The UN General Secretary has submitted a draft report on the Caucasus region which makes no mention of Georgia’s sovereignty over its former republic of Abkhazia, a spokesman for Russia’s permanent representative said.

Putin says Russia needs new rockets to increase launch market share:
Russia must strengthen its competitive positions on the global commercial space launch market by expanding its launch facilities and developing new types of carrier rockets, the prime minister said on Monday.

Hello,

After my wonderful cup of coffee this morning, I took the dog for a long walk. As I was walking the dog, I noticed that in the last few days that the trees (bushes) have finally started to look very green and the flowering trees (bushes) are blooming. So lets have a look at a few pictures I took today, on a very late Spring…

Hope you have a wonderful week and come back for a view through the “Windows to Russia”!

comments always welcome.

Everyday while walking around Russia, whether in Moscow, side of the highway or a little village. You will find Babushkas selling “Salt Cucumbers”. These cucumbers look exactly like pickles but taste totally different.

I am a dill pickle lover and when I first came to Russia I saw pickles (cucumbers) everywhere. I finally got one and took a big bite! That is not a pickle I said…

That bite changed my idea on how to preserve cucumbers forever. After the initial shock of not having a vinegar kick with the dill, I really like “Salt Pickles”.

I then learned that these are not pickles but “Salt Cucumbers”. In Russia they do not make small batches of “Salt Cucumbers” the process is made a barrel at a time. This is a old time preserving method that is handed down from generation to generation. So you have somewhere around 150,000,000 “Salt Cucumber” recipes! 🙂

Simple Salt Cucumbers:

Ingredients:

1. 800 grams salt for every 10 liters of water – (So that salt is fully dissolved the water should be boiled and salt added as boiling, then allowed to cool)

2. one third kilo of dill (that is a bunch)

3. 50 grams of horseradish (this is for flavor only not to make spicy, so you really could leave it out and not effect the end result much)

4. garlic claws only (start with 3 or 4 whole garlic clusters)

5. leaves of black current or cherry (as desired)

6. tarragon (as desired)

7. celery leaves or parsley (as desired)

8. bitter peppers (3-5 peppers but the more the merrier)

9. No – Vinegar – No

Items Needed:

1. 4 or more big glass gallon jars or about 4 liter size glass jars or what ever you have handy. (Or big bucket, in America you have pickle buckets for free, but glass is the best)

2. lids or use poly plastic as a seal.

Lets Make Salt Cucumbers:

First the cucumbers: initially sort out, and discarding those which are overripe, damaged and those that just do not make you happy. 🙂

Second sort and salt the cucumbers by size. Always salt according to size (small, medium, large) in separate containers. Makes a better product.

Cucumbers then need to be thoroughly wash. Try to use only cucumbers that are solid and no cutting away bad areas. (other words no bruised, cuts or broken skin)

To prepare ingredients – Take dill and tarragon, horseradish (root), garlic claw no skin, bitter peppers, clean them and to chop into pieces about 5 to 15 cm long. (some like onion also and I suggest to crush a garlic claw slightly to help release the flavor. I also like to use the whole pepper and leave stem on, they are very edible also.)

On the bottom of each jar – place a layer of the mixture of spices, and then the cucumbers as densely packed as possible, it is works best to keep all in the vertical position and make sure that you do not damage the cucumbers. As you fill the jar with cucumbers remember to add more ingredients at the half way point and at the end of filling the jar with cucumbers. (other words three times you add ingredients to each big jar)

Salt water that you made as an ingredient – (above) is now poured over top of the cucumbers to fill the jars to the brim.

Seal the jar with lids – to keep out dirt and debris.

Now we wait:

To storing the salt cucumbers:

The best temperature is around 0-3 degrees centigrade. The salt cucumbers can be eaten in about 50 to 60 days at this temperature.

In room temperature storage, the fermentation of cucumbers will be done in 30 days. (but warning: the process is quicker at a higher temp. but quality is lower)

Now we Eat:

Yummy – Yummy!

comments always welcome.

Notes:
Use uncut baby onions and whole peppers. They will convert like the cucumbers and are delicious. Medium size cucumbers are the best for this recipe.

This recipe is almost identical to one my Grandma made except about a kilo of sugar is used instead of salt and transplant a third of the water with vinegar. (sweet pickles)

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of wonderful coffee here in Moscow Russia. I came across this tidbit of information on the airwaves in Russia…

Seems that about 3,000 schoolchildren from Moscow and surrounding regions in Russia had a get together on the Red Square today (Sunday) to sign up in the communist Pioneer Movement, they also paid their respects to Lenin at the famous Lenin’s mausoleum.

The Communist Party leader, Vladimir Zyuganov and several lawmakers were present at the ceremony, presenting the new members with the traditional red neckerchiefs worn by school children since the founding of the movement in the Soviet Union 87 years ago.

Pioneer camp was the name for the vacation or summer camp of Young Pioneers. In the 20th century these camps existed in many of the socialist country’s, particularly in the Soviet Union.

This tradition has been carried on to this day by Russia and other CIS countries. (Link)

Svet says that she was very involved in the Pioneer Camp and it was a wonderful. Svet’s Mom was also a member when she was young. This is a tremendous growth and learning opportunity for kids in Russia.

From what I see this is a lot like the Scouts in America and even can be compared to the 4-H Club in America.

WtR

The Eurovision in Russia final came to a close early Sunday at Moscow, Russia’s Olympiysky Arena with Norway and the song “Fairytale”, performed by Alexander Rybak, proving to be the winner by a landslide.

Read More!

PS:
1) Norway, 2) Iceland, 3) Azerbaijan, 4) Turkey, 5) England, 6) Estonia, 7) Greece, 8) France, 9) Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10) Armenia, 11) Russia, 12) Ukraine, 13) Denmark, 14) Moldova, 15) Portugal, 16) Israel, 17) Albania, 18) Croatia, 19) Romania, 20) Germany, 21) Sweden, 22) Malta, 23) Lithuania, 24) Spain, 25) Finland