Russian Delight: A Cookbook of the Soviet Peoples w. Borscht, Givech, Lamb Plov & more -- Vintage Cookbook TBT

Vintage Cookbook: Russian Delight: A Cookbook of the Soviet Peoples, V. V. Pokhlebkin

Publication Details: Pan Books, 1984

The only thing that is unfortunate about this exceptional and fascinating cookbook is its English language title that implies that it is about "Russian" cuisine. While Russian cuisine is certainly a part of the book, it has so much more than that. In fact, it is one of the most diverse and multicultural cookbooks I have yet to come across.

Russian Delight is actually a look at the various national cuisines that existed across the entire Soviet Union and its fifteen republics. This cuisine was as varied as one would imagine given that it encompasses dishes from places such as Estonia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, etc.

The book was first published in the USSR in 1978 and then translated into English in 1984.

It has so much to offer that it is really a must to track down for anyone interested in regional cooking, food history or the Soviet Union. Dishes and recipes from every republic are featured as is an introductory overview to each one going into its background, the features of it, the specific ingredients more favoured in each, different techniques and other aspects. 

I have already made some dishes from the book and posted them on The Left Chapter with Moldavian Barbecued Chicken and Georgian Beef Chakhokhbili. I have plans to make more.

Today we are going to look at at least one dish from each republic. I have tried to make it interesting and different with dishes like Stuffed Pig's Stomach from Belarus, Herring with Sour Cream from Estonia and Beetroot Mkhali from Georgia.

(Click on images to enlarge)

Russia

Ukraine

Byelorussia (Belarus)

Moldavia

Georgia

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakh and Kirgiz Cuisine

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic 1987: Photos, Culture, Economy, History & more -- Socialist Republics of the Soviet Union Series

In the mid-1980s the Soviet press agency Novosti released a series of small books looking the USSR's 15 republics. Each book dealt with a republic's history, culture, development, industry, agriculture, etc. They provide a fascinating look at the Soviet Union's accomplishments and plans. The series was known as the "Socialist Republics of the Soviet Union".

Over the past several months we have been taking a look at these books and the republics. The books have been slightly edited for length and repetition in some cases and the photographs and illustrations have been dispersed more evenly throughout the text.

In our two most recent posts in the series we looked at the Byelorussian  and Armenian SSRs in 1986 and 1987. Written by Estonian journalist Ressi Kaera, this booklet looks at the Estonian SSR in 1987.

This installment begins with the geography of Estonia and then has a brief overview of its history including its revolutionary movements in the early 20th century and the proclamation of the Estland Workers Commune by Red Estonian riflemen in late 1918 that ended up being overthrown by the western armies intervening against the Bolsheviks.

It takes a look at the Estonian capital of Tallinn and the internationally recognized efforts that were made to preserve its rich architectural heritage, at Tartu State University, the renowned theatre in Parnu, the Estonian literary and artistic scene at the time, the growth of Estonian museums and cultural preservation, sports and various folk festivals in the republic.

There is also an extensive section on Estonian industry, fishing and agriculture, including an in-depth look at the Viru collective farm and its housing, educational and cultural facilities.

(click on scans to enlarge)