Week 9: Russia

Russia, land of vodka and bears and vodka drinking bears. Russia is the largest country in the world and frequently brags about it at parties. Despite a tumultuous political history Russians still find time for many leisure activities including human trafficking, suppressing local rebellions and teaching bears to drink vodka.

Beef Stroganoff, or Beef Stroganov, is a Russian dish originating in the 19th Century. I'm sure the recipe we are using is not particularly authentic, but I don't care. It's delicious. And it does seem to convey the essence of Beef Stroganoff, from what I've been able to gather.

This dish has all the elements of the perfect winter comfort food: creamy, carby, stick-to-your-ribs goodness. And yet, this version, with its bright parsley garnish, and relatively light ingredient list, was surprisingly fresh tasting and not too heavy. I think I would like to make this on a bleak winter's day, in a slow cooker. I guess I need a slow cooker. And a bleak winter's day.