Russian recipe collection

Traditional Russian tea steeped with whole cloves and sweet apple cider. Strain, sweeten with honey or strawberry jam, and serve hot for a spiced, warming drink.

Melt in your mouth Russian tea cookies with walnuts. Perfect accompaniment for a cup of tea.

Russian torte: a yeast-leavened pastry layered with cinnamon-walnut filling and apricot preserves, then crowned with meringue and sugared nuts. The Old World dessert that disappears at every gathering.

Russian marinated herring (selyodka) layered in Mason jars with olives, dried chilis, coriander, mustard seeds, and a sweet vinegar brine. Ready after 5 to 7 days in the fridge.

Shchi is a traditional Russian cabbage and sauerkraut soup with beef brisket, marrow bones, porcini mushrooms, and root vegetables. A deeply layered pot that tastes even better the next day.

Traditional Ukrainian fish in aspic (studynyna rybiacha): whole fish poached in aromatic stock, layered with carrot rounds, and set in shimmering gelatin. A stunning cold appetizer for holidays.

This cinnamon-orange marinade, characteristic of Balkan cooking, is a specialty of Georgia in south-central Russia.The tabaka marinade is usually used with chicken and game hen, but it also goes nicely with swordfish.

This Eastern European compote simmers dried apples, pears, prunes, and raisins in apple cider with honey and warm spices. A make-ahead fruit dessert that improves over two weeks in the fridge.

A classic Russian vinaigrette salad with roasted beets, boiled potatoes, carrots, green peas, dill pickles, and a tangy mustard-vinegar dressing. Served chilled as a hearty side dish.

Ukrainian potato-cheese filling for varenyky made with mashed potatoes, cheddar, bryndzia, and butter-fried onions. A traditional pierogi filling with real depth.

Medianyk is a traditional Ukrainian honey cake spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Whipped egg whites give it a light, airy crumb despite all that honey.

Traditional Russian Pascha (Paskha) made with cream cheese, butter, raisins, sultanas, and cherries, drained in muslin for 24 hours. A rich, no-bake Easter dessert.

Vinegret is Russia's beloved cooked vegetable salad: roasted beets, potatoes, carrots, dill pickles, and peas in a mustard-vinegar dressing with fresh dill. A colorful, make-ahead side.

Best borscht: a ruby-red Russian beet soup loaded with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes in a rich beef broth, finished with a swirl of sour cream and fresh dill. Hearty yet light.

Kolachki: tender, flaky Eastern European cream cheese cookies wrapped around a sweet ground walnut filling and rolled in sugar. A buttery, melt-in-your-mouth holiday tradition.

Kulich is the tall, golden Russian Easter bread scented with saffron, rum-soaked raisins, almonds, and orange zest. Baked in coffee cans for the traditional cylindrical shape and topped with lemon glaze.