This is not just a book, it is a voyage into Russian culture. Discover the fascinating details of Russian history, culture and eating habits and enjoy the tasty delights of the vast country that spans through 11 time zones and brings together more than 180 ethnic groups. Detailing the evolution and development of traditional Russian cooking, this book gives a better understanding of the foods that are now known as classical Russian dishes. Through the words of native Muscovite, Maria Depenweiller, who was born and raised in Moscow before immigrating to Canada, Russian Cuisine: Traditional and Contemporary Home Cooking covers not only Russian cooking methods such as the Russian oven samovar, but also the impact of Russian politics on its food. Discover: How the Soviet Revolution impacted Russian eating habits, How the Russian tea drinking tradition got started, Dive into Russian history with typical ingredients and explanation how these foods became Russian staples, Learn about the home cooking of the Russian Empire and try schi and rasstegai, Delight your guests with marvelous assortment of zakuski or ant hill torte from the classical Soviet cuisine, and To enhance the immersion experience the author suggests, at the begging of each recipe chapter, tips on setting the appropriate mood with recommended table setting, film to watch, music to listen to and a book to read. From table settings, to backyard gardens and pantry items, this book teaches you everything you need to know about Russian food.