I have some plans this weekend, most of it still hasn't been decided. I really like living in Russia.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I went to Madelyn's apartment in Dobriy on Tuesday because we had to do homework together. When I got there, she had already mixed the dough for chocolate chip cookies and then baked them while we worked. I think watching Russians eat the cookies has been one of my favorite experiences so far. Just based on the fact that chocolate chip cookies are such a classic American food, that EVERYONE has had them and pretty much everyone loves them. But the Russians were trying these cookies for the first time. I don't know, cookies and desserts are just different here. Chocolate chip cookies shouldn't be and aren't really that different of a food to them, but it's still something new, something slightly different from what they're used to, so just the subtle hesitation preceding the first bite was enough to fascinate me. I brought some home and watched Alla make her way through one, commenting on it, guessing at the taste of grapes, and finally, upon the last bite, concluding that it does, in fact, taste good. That's really what gets you here, the subtle differences. Alla herself constantly comments on the fact that I don't put sugar in my tea. How can unsweetened tea be worth drinking?!
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Definitely a chocolately goodness kind of writeup. You do write so eloquently, so deliciously....I can nearly taste Alla's experience with her chocolate chip cookie....does Alla make cookies? What kinds of cookies are typically found in a Russian kitchen. It is hard to fathom that chocolate chip cookies are an "american" thing. What does Alla like to bake?
ReplyDeletePlans for the weekend??? Fantastic. Is the destination school-planned or are you on your own this weekend?
Is Dobriy part of Vladimir? How does Madelyn's apartment compare to yours?
Grandpa came home last night from the hospital at last! It was grand to see him sitting in his red chair. He is so glad to be home! He mentions you everyday and says it's so cool you are in Russia, and then he mentions one particular talent you have that he appreciates very much....I think you know what I mean!
Happy Weekend Lauried! ! !
Hi Mike! What a delightful compliment, but the kugal recipe comes from Laurie's Grandma Bea. I know she would be delighted for you to have it, so here is:
ReplyDeleteGrandma Bea's Kugal Recipe
1/2 lb. noodles cooked
1/2 lb cream cheese
1/2 pint of sour cream (8 oz)
4 eggs
1 stick melted margarine
7 T sugar
salt
1/2 t lemon juice
1. Blend all ingredients except noodles until smooth;
2. Add the noodles;
3. Pour into 9 x 13 pan
4. Blend and then top with:
1/2 stick melted margarine
1 1/2 cups cornflakes
2 T sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes
Let us know how it turns out!
Ah, yes! You should make Kugal! Hopefully they have cornflakes in Russia. That's so cute about the chocolate chip cookies. You're a really great story-teller, by the way. Reading your posts is like watching a movie. Take care! :)
ReplyDeleteLaurie,I'm really glad that like Russia. You truly are a great writer! You had me on the edge of my seat with the adventure in Moscow, then a touching vignette about Alla, and now a sensuous glimpse into Russian gastronomy! I can't wait to read you every night when I come home from work. Don't forget to check out the coordinates at maps.google.com (search Vladomir and zoom in..are you between Ulitsia Volodarskogo and Kremlevskaya Ulitsia?), and don't forget to OPEN YOUR VALENTIMES DAY CARDS THIS SATURDAY!!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY VALENTINES DAY ! ! ! !!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog - it is so interesting. You are a wonderful writer and we're all learning so much that we knew nothing at all about before. "Ray for Laurie! Happy Valentines Day, kid with many, many stickers. Did you receive the valentine I mailed to you? Hope so. My cousin Sylvia Noble called me from Florida today. When I told her about your being in Russia, she told me that her daughter is a Russian expert, speaks beautifully, makes many trips there, is an expert on Russian Women's health issues and is a professor at UNC in Chapel Hill.
ReplyDelete