Windows to Russia

Hello,

Today we are going to try a recipe of one of my very favorite foods. When you serve it rolled in cabbage leaves it always comes out delicious and fit for a king! 🙂

Golubtsy: stands for meat (any meat) wrapped in a cabbage leaf and then stewed. Yummy!

Ingredients:

1 lb – Ground meat pre-cooked (your choice – In Russia most likely pork or chicken. In America most likely ground beef.)
2 cup – cooked Rice (white)
1 medium – Onion chopped
1 nice – Carrot grated
1 large – Tomato diced
Dill, parsley, coriander, ground peppers, garlic (too taste)
A big delicious cabbage
Sour Cream

Cooking:

First, lets get the leaves of cabbage needed:
For this, take a big meat fork and punch the stub. Then put the whole thing into big pot of boiling water. Fork up of course. 🙂

As the outer leaves cook they become semi transparent, so as they cook and soften, cut them carefully at the base and slowly remove from the head (careful we are talking about boiling water and steam) and get about 10 to 15 soften cooked leaves. Set them aside on a plate to cool for later use.

Second, now the stuffing:
Take the pre-cooked ground meat and mix it with the cooked rice in a big bowl.

Then in a separate frying pan you’ll need to fry grated carrots and finely chopped onions, then add finely chopped tomatoes. Fry until onions are translucent then put in crushed garlic, herbs, salt, and ground peppers. Fry until all flavors are blended well. (About 2 – 3 minutes more)

In the big mixing bowl that has the meat and rice, add the ingredients from the fry skillet. Mix well. Let cool so that you can handle without burning yourself.

Third, Roll – em – up:
Take a cabbage leaf and lay on clean and sanitized flat surface. Add the mixture (2 tablespoons or more and more and more) that you just created in the skillet, to one end of the cabbage leaf and roll like a burrito. Tucking the sides in as you roll. That is why you must cook the cabbage leaves first.

Fourth, finish cooking them to perfection:
Just lay them tightly side by side in a big sauce pan, pour some hot water over, add a piece, no better yet a chunk, of butter or margarine and let it cook for 20 minutes on a medium fire.

Fifth, lets eat – Yummy! (Do not forget to smother in sour cream or not!)

Note:
I make these also with all raw products but find that by doing it this way, the product is a more consistent item. Instead of cabbage leaves try stuffing raw peppers and baking in the oven. You can use green, red or yellow peppers for this method.

Also if you want add onions and carrots plus any other veggie you want to to final cooking in the sauce pan. (You may want to increase cooking time if you add ingredients) This will make a soup type product. Then just serve like a soup in a big huge bowl with a daub of sour cream.

The cabbage rolls are great cold and reheated the next day also.

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee here in Moscow, Russia. The news was abuzz in over the accusations against Russia from Georgia over an mutiny attempt by a Georgian Military unit. The TV, papers and internet was lit up…

I waited before spouting my mouth off, because I did not see where Russia had anything to do with this mutiny attempt that was being spread by the Georgian propaganda machine.

The first sign that all was not well with this Georgia tale, was when earlier today CNN printed an article: “(CNN) — Georgian authorities foiled an attempted army mutiny that they believe was designed to disrupt planned NATO exercises in the former Soviet republic, the country’s interior ministry said Tuesday.” (Link)

I read this article and there was no mention of Russia until the end of the article and then it only talked about NATO / Russia issues. Now that was a change in the Western press. From that point all the Western press articles steered clear of Russia involvement and kept repeating that NATO has not verified the information from Tbilisi.

I have been expressing my opinion about the fact that NATO should stay clear of Georgia until the direst has been solved. I have not changed that thought and now that thought has only been reconfirmed.

The opposition to Saakashvili, which has been leading protests in Tbilisi for nearly a month demanding Saakashvili’s resignation, called the mutiny a “theatrical show” staged by Saakashvili.

“What we saw looked like a one-man theater show – one person giving specific names and painting an apocalyptic picture of men returning to Georgia from exile to kill long-serving politicians,” David Gamkrelidze, an opposition leader, said.(Link)

I find these tactics on par for a rapscallion like Saakashvili!

So does Russia have anything to do with this mutiny? Not that I can see and nothing is obvious except Sassy and his mouth…

So NATO – Georgia is ticking and NATO needs to stay away. 6 -7 countries have already pulled out of the exercises and now it is time for NATO to say “Lets Wait – until things calm down!”

Windows to Russia!
Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

Russia News Source: May 5th, 2009!

Armenia may pull out of NATO-led drills in Georgia:
Armenia will not take part in the upcoming NATO-led Cooperative Longbow /Cooperative Lancer 2009 military exercises in Georgia, an Armenian newspaper said on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

Communists seek damages over color version of Soviet spy series:
A communist group in St. Petersburg is to seek some $30 million in compensation for moral damages caused by the color reissue of a legendary Soviet spy series.

Russia to start building world’s first offshore nuclear plant:
A St. Petersburg-based shipyard will start building the world’s first offshore nuclear power plant on May 18, the city’s governor said on Tuesday.

Moscow pulls out of Russia-NATO Council meeting over expulsions:
Moscow said on Tuesday it would not send delegates to a planned Russia-NATO Council meeting over the expulsion by the military alliance of two diplomats based at its NATO mission in Brussels.

Russia’s Medvedev welcomes new U.S. stance on missile defense:
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomed on Tuesday the readiness of the new U.S. administration to take on board Moscow’s objections to the deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Central Europe.

Eurovision public events center opens in Moscow:
A public events center for the upcoming Eurovision-2009 Song Contest was opened in central Moscow on Tuesday.

Georgian army unit refusing to obey orders after coup reports:
An armored infantry battalion refused to obey orders at the Mukhrovani military base outside the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Tuesday amid reports of an alleged military coup plot, Georgia’s defense minister said.

Belarus, Moldova leaders to skip EU eastern summit in Prague:
The presidents of Belarus and Moldova will not attend a EU summit designed to boost ties with ex-Soviet republics due in Prague on Thursday, Czech media reported on Tuesday.

Russian, Polish foreign ministers to talk missile defense, energy:
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski arrives in Moscow on Tuesday for a two-day working visit to discuss European security, energy supplies and missile defense issues with his Russian counterpart.

Hello,

Lets make a Simple Shashlyk today:

Here in Russia it is Dacha season. So that means it is Shashlyk (Shashlik) time. Now everyone has their own Shashlyk recipe and we have my own.

This recipe here is a basic version to get you started. After trying it then you have to create a family recipe to pass down through the years. We consider lamb to be the best by far. (lamb also can be cooked rarer except when mixed)

So we will not give you our complicated recipe. (It is our secret and oh so good.)

Shashlyk is Russian type of kebab. Marinated chicken, fish, lamb or pork skewered and grilled to perfection with vegetables make this the ultimate cookout food.

Ingredients: (Basic style)
* 1 lb – lamb, fish, chicken or pork trimmed of all fat, and cut into 2″ cubes (or mix of all four)
* 1/2 – cup lemon juice from real lemons
* 1/2 – cup olive oil
* 1 – teaspoon black pepper
* 1 – teaspoon salt
* 1/4 – teaspoon ground red pepper or maybe not 🙂
* 4 – medium onions, cut into quarters
* 1 – pint cherry tomatoes
* 2 – large green, red or yellow peppers, cut into 1 inch chunks (or all)

Preparation:
In a bowl, combine meat, olive oil, lemon juice, pepper, salt and red pepper. Allow to marinate at least 2-3 hours (preferably overnight) to marinate prior to cooking. (You can use any of your favorite veggies that you want, we like eggplant and raw cabbage)

A. Place marinated beef on skewers (about 6 cubes per skewer). Be sure to apply a light coat of oil on the skewer prior to threading the meat.

B. Place vegetables on skewers, alternating type of vegetable. The meat and veggies are cooked on different skewers because the meat will take longer to grill.

C. Or place all on same skewer like I do. (I am just trying to give you all options)

Cooking:
A. Cook meat on skewers on a grill or under broiler for 10-12 minutes,or until desired doneness. Turn over every few minutes to ensure even cooking. (always make sure meat is done)

B. Grill vegetables on skewers for last 5 minutes of grilling. Turn. The vegetable should be crisp and tender. (Be careful not to overcook)

C. Or do like we do and just cook them together and when the meat is done it is done. Veggies are burnt and delicious. 🙂

In Russia Shashlyk is the single most enjoyed food of the summer months in the former Soviet Union and as you drive the countryside in Russia. Shashlyk stands have sprung up everywhere with their tempting smell of cooked grilled meat wafting in the air…

Yummy!

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

Hello,

Back in the “good-ol-days” in America you had such doctors as this on the video.

I remember when the doctors made house calls all the time in any weather. I remember many doctors that would travel 20 to 30 miles of deep rutted country roads to check on people who were ill in the back woods of America.

This doctor in remote Southern Russia is really not a regular doctor but a dentist. He doctors because there is no one else to do the job. In Russia people appreciate the fact that someone will care for them and the respect that he has is really his only payment for his services.

Believe me a dentist or doctor in Russia does not make much money…

“You have to know each dog on the chain, and the dog has to know you.” Said Anatoly.

It has been 30 years since Anatoly started his career, but he says his patients need him so much that he is not planning to quit any time soon. (Link)

Thank goodness for people like Anatoly, who really care about the souls on earth. Not their pocket books…

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee here in Moscow, Russia. I was watching another Video from Russia Today about an interview with the German author and economist William Engdahl. It is about “The end of the American Century”…

Russia Today: What are your thoughts on US President Barack Obama? Do you think he is the man to control the situation?

William Engdahl: No. To my mind, and I said this in print a year before Barack Obama became president, the American power establishment since the time at least of Abraham Lincoln, with the possible exception of John F. Kennedy, has never allowed any candidate to get near White House who they do not totally control.

We see that in the case of president Obama, so there is nothing that the Obama administration is doing to rock the boat. He is merely, if you will, a cosmetic change. How do you say – ‘old wine in a new bottle’? That’s Barack Obama. He is simply an attempt to deceive, to put the rest of the world off balance, but I think it is certainly wearing thin on the American public. They realize he has not done anything fundamental to improve the situation. He has, I think, perhaps another two or three months before he becomes, like George Bush, the most hated man in America. (Link)

I found Engdahl very intelligent and practical just like many that are coming forward now. It seems that the voice of reason is starting to be heard and the rose colored glasses are changing their color.

Lets Hope…

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Hello,

Russia Today did a interview with well renown Walter Rogers, a former correspondent at CNN and a veteran of international reporting. He gives his views on what the world thinks about America and what does America have for a future since America seems to have no desire to change directions.

He gives a very good ideology about America: “America looks through Rose colored Western civilized glasses!”…

WR: I worked in Israel for five and a half years. That was the land of the prophets and you never make prophetic statements or prophecies. Do I think that the American republics are in danger of a collapse? No, but again, getting back to the point I made before, it is changing far more rapidly than we ever thought it could. And most Americans don’t have a clue. I think any time also that you have this concept of political correctness you have a threat to democracy. We can’t talk about this. Why not? That’s the whole purpose of free speech. You have to be able to talk. You have to be able to report. Thomas Jefferson said, and, take nothing else from our conversation if you don’t take this, he said: “I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility toward every tyranny over the mind of men.” Political correctness is a tyranny that threatens the values of the Enlightenment and the American Enlightenment as well. We’re not about to collapse, but our values are under siege. (Link)

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Hello,

Looks like Russia is skating to victory:

Russia scored three power play goals to a 4-1 win over the U.S.A. at the World Ice Hockey Championships in Switzerland. The win has put Russia into the final eight, where they are the top-seeded team. Russia is undefeated after four games, and play Latvia on this Sunday.

Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Svet and I went downtown yesterday and got to look over the May Day festivals in Moscow, Russia. It was not fancy and there was not a lot of people. But it was fun!

This is also traditionally the first of Dacha season in Russia, so everyone is gone to play at their Dachas in the villages. (Link)

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee here in Moscow, Russia. I came across this article that had a quote that I had to pass on… (Link)

What wonderful advice, I do not think it will work…

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.