Russian Ethnic Cooking Class

Our monthly cooking class. We all helped prepare a Russian meal. Basturma{ Marinated Beef on a stick}. Combine 1/4 cup chopped onion, 2Tbsp. fresh Basil or 1 Tbsp. dried Basil,1/2 tsp. black pepper, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar,1 kg stewing beef chunks. Mix all together and marinate for 5-6 hrs.Put on skewers pressing firming together. Preheat broiler,broil 4 inches from broiler or barbecue till well done about 15 minutes.

Ukrainian Potato Babka Puff.Yummy recipe: 2 eggs, separated , 2 cups mashed potatoes, 1/3 cup hot cream. 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 Tbsp. butter. salt to taste. Beat egg yolks into potatoes. Add the remaining ingredients except the egg whites. Beat vigorously until light. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks, fold into mixture. Spoon the potatoes lightly into a buttered baking 9x13.Bake in a hot oven 400 for 15 minutes until puffed and lightly brown.

Berry Kissel Dessert Recipe: 1/2 cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1/4 tsp.salt, 2 cups water, 5 cups blackberries,4 cups raspberries, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice. Method: Whisk sugar , cornstarch,and salt together.In a saucepan simmer water and 2/8 cup of each type of berry 2 minutes,Drain mixture in a sieve set over a bowl, reserving liquid. Transfer cooked berries to a large bowl and stir in remaining berries. Gradually whisk reserved hot liquid into sugar mixture until smooth. Pour into a pan bring mixture to a boil whisking and simmer whisking ,3 minutes. Immediately pour mixture through a sieve into berries and stir well. Stir in lemon juice. Chill kissel, covered for 2 hrs.until cold