May 8th, 2014
05:30 PM ET
World-renowned chef, author and Emmy-winning television personality Anthony Bourdain visits Russia in the next episode of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," airing Sunday, May 11, at 9 p.m. ET. Follow the show on Twitter and Facebook. The current culinary landscape of Russia can been seen as a microcosm of the country's escalating tensions: Can the Soviet and contemporary era co-exist? On one side, there are the "dino-era, Russian classics," as Anthony Bourdain couches them - like borscht, blinis, pickled herring and solyanka (a sweet and sour soup typically made with meat, sturgeon or mushrooms). On the other, places like Yornik in Moscow and CoCoCo in St. Petersburg don't turn their back on the canonical dishes, but aren't afraid to take a few new risks. In this episode of "Parts Unknown," Bourdain joins longtime friend, Moscow-born Zamir Gotta, to ponder criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin over something that eases the tension: vodka. "When you're talking classic conspiracy theories and classically Russian-style paranoia, you want some classic Russian food to go along with it," Bourdain says. Feed into the debate by making one such dish, an old-school kind of dumpling called pelmeni. Pelmeni Ingredients For the filling: For cooking and garnishing: Cooking Instructions In a bowl, mix together the onion, garlic, salt and pepper to taste and 1/2 cup water. Add the ground meat (uncooked) and blend well. Set the filling aside. Cut off a piece of the dough; roll it into a rope-like shape and cut into bite-size pieces. Put some flour on the work area and the dough pieces to avoid sticking. Press the pieces down gently. Using a rolling pin, flatten the pieces into small, thin discs - about 1 1/2-inch wide. Keep the dough discs covered under the bowl so it stays moist. Using a fork, place a teaspoon of the filling on the center of each dough disc and fold into a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges of the half-moon together to seal. Place them on a baking sheet or a big plate dusted with flour. (Pelmeni can either be cooked right away or frozen for later.) In a pot, bring water to a boil with salt and pepper to taste and a bay leaf. Simmer pelmeni for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the dumplings and transfer them to a bowl; add the melted butter. Stir carefully. Serve immediately and garnish with some freshly chopped parsley, dill or chives, and some sour cream or hot spicy sauce if desired. Previously on "Parts Unknown": |
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Agree that Tony doesn't need to try to do politics. For example, critics of the administration in the US are not killed but can have their lives destroyed by targeting by the IRS, OSHA, EPA etc., so we do most of what Putin is doing.
Love Bourdain when he talks food and travel. Can't stand it when he gets into his politics. For example, while he wanted to talk about free health care and his buddy basically set him straight, yes it is free if you want to wait months for care. Instead of talking about that he went on a rant about trickle down economics. Tony–I know you don't want to admit it, but when a person buys a yacht, his frivolous investment sets many jobs in motion. That is trickle down economics. Bottom up economics, sets in motion an unending class of dependency.
To re-establish context they are just out of Moscow, the city with the most billionaires per capita in the world. So let's say 10 billionaires buy yachts and yes that creates jobs, but does it create more jobs than 1,000 middle class workers buying boats? Because the argument is the billionaires become that way squeezing out strength from the middle class, buying bigger yachts while middle class workers can no longer afford any boat. In my opinion that is a net LOSS of jobs, and especially professional well paying jobs. I believe he was also calling into question the changes that have occurred in which cronyism has effected the Russian economy which he also detailed. I know this is a late response, but I was hoping to find the clip to show a friend, because it's really well said, and your comment was just very cliché and lacking, in my opinion
In Soviet Russia, Vodka makes YOU caviar
talk about bad timing :)
I'm in the wrong place, but just wanted to say how much I like the program on Russia tonight. (May 11). Glad he had the courage and wherewithal to interview who he did and got the things said that needed to be said.
I always enjoy Bourdain's shows. He seems to get to the nitty gritty wherever he goes. This show on Russia was especially edgy in that it was done before Putin and his cronies spent over 80 billion dollars on the Sochi Winter Olympics, the people's money that is. It was obvious, from Bourdain's body language, that his less than admirable homage to his host country was colored by the frequent mention of Putin, a man who seems to be a cross between Napoleon, Stalin, and Nicolas II. It wouldn't surprise me if Putin showed up in an imperial Russian czarist's costume one day. I'm just glad Bourdain got out of Russia alive.
Now this, I'd try!!!
Sour cream?? No way. In our house we sprinkle them with vinegar mixed 50/50 with water. Other than that it sounds pretty much like my wife's recipe.
bourdain rocks
Reminds me of an empanada.
They are boiled and are small, like ravioli. Pelmenhi are nothing at all like empenadas.
if you say so...
dim sum good, ya. more wadka if you please.
My eclectic Russian friends in the US have introduced me to Russian eats, from street side to dishes meant for a czar. The food can be as memorable as honey coated wieners to dishes the most exquisite French chefs are clamoring to reproduce.
I doubt the French would "clamor" over any Russian dish. However, the Russians are good at making dumplings, borsch, caviar, and cabbage rolls. And potatoes...in most any form. Anything else they probably borrowed from the French.