‘Easter table!...consisting of the most tender fabric of various Kulich cakes, of fillings prepared with such care… each piece of meat on the table exuding such hospitality, such goodwill…embracing each guest in warmth and kindness’
A feast with literary stories inspired by Russian Easter celebrations – which unlike Western Easter arrives lazily in May this year.
Easter – Paskha - has is a special place in the hearts of most Russians, regardless of how religious (or not) we are. Banned during the Soviet times the holiday persistently held its fort – oh, we were letting our (culinary?:) hair down on this day!
We are throwing a dinner party together that will include some little known Easter foods – like savoury Paskhas (think cheesecakes with herbs) and – of course – those stuffed beetroot pickled eggs that Karina made famous whilst filming with Mary Berry on BBC1!
Karinka is promising some adult games with eggs. Painting and stuff you know)).
The menu.
Pick-me-up:
Borodinsky with home-churned butter, radishes and Chetvergovaya ‘black’ salt
The spread:
Beetroot pickled eggs with herring, yolks and salmon caviar pearls
Tvorog curdcheese Paskhas:
Savoury: one w sorrel and this season’s onions & another w lotsssss of herbs
Sweet: with berries and nuts
Myriad of Kulichi (Panetonne like)
plus
Whole free-range ham roasted in Kvas (Slavic Coca-cola)
served with vegetables ‘roses’
Veg option: Cabbage schnitzel with caraway dumplings
To end:
A surprise with a story…