"Borscht" ("Borsch") or Beet Soup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb beef, pork or chicken
• 5-6 medium potatoes
• 1/4 medium head of cabbage
• 1 medium beet root
• 1/2 medium onion
• 1/2 sweet pepper
• 1 carrot
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon of vinegar
• Salt, pepper to taste
• Sour cream

Directions:

1.  Put meat in a 3 qt (liter) saucepan, fill it with cold water (about 3/4 full), and bring to a boil.
2. Skim the scum continuously with a slotted spoon while it is starting to boil and continue until it comes to a full boil.
3. Add salt, pepper, bay leaves, and reduce the heat so the meat boils gently until done (will be soft and not red inside when tested with a knife).
4. Take out the meat.
5. Cut cabbage and potatoes, put inside the pan, and boil 10-15 minutes.
6. Grate the carrot and beet, chop the onion and sweet pepper, and saute in vegetable oil in a skillet, with the added vinegar, about 5 minutes or until you can smell the vegetables.
7. Put this mixture into the saucepan.
8. Simmer gently about 5 minutes.
9. Cut small pieces of meat and put into each individual serving bowl. Add the soup and top with sour cream to taste. Enjoy!

Cherry Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 lb flour
• 1 package dry yeast
• 1/2 liter (1/2 quart) milk
• 1/4 lb (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, melted
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3-4 eggs

Filling:

• 1 lb store bought cherry filling or cherry jam

Directions:
Dough:

1. In a mixing bowl combine 2/3 of the flour and the dry yeast.
2. In a big pan mix 3-4 eggs, salt, and sugar. Whisk and add the flour to the yeast gradually.
3. Then, gradually add warm milk and the rest of the flour, at the same time mixing.
4. When it is difficult to mix the dough, pour in warm melted butter or margarine, and use your hands to mix.
5. Cover the pan with a towel and leave in a warm place.
6. When the dough rises for the first time (can take a couple hours), push it down.
7. When the dough rises the second time, roll it out, put the filling in the middle, wrap edges, brush with egg wash, and bake at 375-400F about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

"Vatrushka" or Cottage Cheese Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 lb flour
• 1 package dry yeast
• 1/2 liter (1/2 quart) milk
• 1/4 lb (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, melted
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3-4 eggs

Filling:

• 1 lb cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/3-1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• Vanilla
• Salt

Directions:
Dough:

1. In a mixing bowl combine 2/3 of the flour and the dry yeast.
2. In a big pan mix 3-4 eggs, salt, and sugar. Whisk and add the flour to the yeast gradually.
3. Then, gradually add warm milk and the rest of the flour, at the same time mixing.
4. When it is difficult to mix the dough, pour in warm melted butter or margarine, and use your hands to mix.
5. Cover the pan with a towel and leave in a warm place.
6. When the dough rises for the first time (can take a couple hours), push it down.
7. When the dough rises the second time, roll it out, put the filling in the middle, wrap edges, brush with egg wash, and bake at 375-400F about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Filling:

• In a mixing bowl combine cottage cheese, egg, sugar, a small pinch of salt, melted butter, and a few drops of vanilla. Enjoy with tea or coffee!

Doughnuts

Ingredients:

• 2 lb flour
• 1 package dry yeast
• 1/2 liter (1/2 quart) milk
• 1/4 lb butter or margarine
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3-4 eggs

Directions:
Dough:

1. In a mixing bowl combine 2/3 of the flour and the dry yeast.
2. In a big pan mix 3-4 eggs, salt, and sugar. Whisk and add the flour with the yeast gradually.
3. Then, gradually add warm milk and the rest of the flour, at the same time mixing.
4. When it is difficult to mix the dough, pour in warm butter or margarine, and use your hands to mix.
5. Cover the pan with a towel and leave in a warm place.
6. When the dough rises for the first time (can take a couple hours), push it down.
7. When the dough rises the second time, roll it out, cut into (~ 2 inches wide) strips, and form your doughnuts (take a strip and hold the ends; twist into a knot).
8. Bake at 375-400F about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Or, you can fry them in oil (vegetable or canola) in a skillet on both sides, until golden brown and cooked through).
9. When doughnuts are ready, sprinkle them with powdered or granulated sugar while still hot. Enjoy with tea or coffee!