Apologies for the belated dose of happiness! After cleaning up my “toy circus” of a house and dealing with a 2-hour Battle of Wills with my 4-year-old over eating his dinner, I was tapped out. Before all of this happened, though, I had a very pleasant afternoon with my Mamochka (AKA mother-in-law) and kids.
I’ve been trying to learn how to make certain Russian foods lately, not only because my husband Vlad and I like them and I want to introduce them my kids, but also because they remind me of Vlad’s grandmother Baba Valya. She was a selfless person and an AMAZING cook (which my mother-in-law inherited), and whenever I eat the meals that she was known for, I feel like she’s smiling down from above because we’re enjoying something that she passed on to us.
Yesterday, Mamochka taught me how to make “piroshki” (they’re like dumplings). Baba Valya used to make ones filled with meat and the others had cabbage and egg in them–which I loved and have been craving for a while. This turned out to be a family project; my 4 1/2-year-old rolled out the dough (as my almost 2-year-old danced around us to The Wiggles) and then we stretched it, filled it, and pinched it together to form a piroshki. While I definitely need to work on my dumpling-making skills (mine were totally ugly), knowing in my heart that I was making a woman who I deeply admired proud, made me care less about making the perfect piroshki and more about appreciating how it tasted. And they were good, dammit. Here’s a pic:
- My Crankiness Crusher. Not just the food, but the sentiment behind it.
A special shout-out to my mother-in-law for bringing all of the ingredients and for taking the time to teach me how to make delicious Russian cuisine. I love learning about my other half’s culture and making sure that we incorporate it into our little family.
Is there something that you cook or bake that reminds you of a loved one you lost? (Please feel free to share!) I bet taking the time to make it will make you smile too.
~Tara
xoxo
Tara Rummell Berson
The Crankiness Crusher™ 
May 03, 2011 @ 13:57:46
Such a tease… posting that photo and telling us how wonderful they taste but not including the recipe!
May 03, 2011 @ 14:14:39
I was about to say exactly the same thing as Matthew! Recipe please – they sound delicious! xx
May 03, 2011 @ 21:15:54
I’ll type up the recipe (at some point!) and e-mail it to you guys. xx
Oct 19, 2011 @ 01:53:36
That must be one really long recipe if you are still typing it up now.
Just teasing, a little, I know you have family and work and all those other things going on.
Oct 19, 2011 @ 15:17:17
Oops! I had completely forgotten about getting the recipe from my mother-in-law. I’ll ask her to jot it down for me the next time I see her.
May 03, 2011 @ 21:35:03
Tara,
We are half Polish and have the family tradition of makine “pierogis” from scratch every year on Good Friday. My mom, Grandmother and Aunt have been making them for as long as I can remember. I am only now (as an adult) allowed to roll out the dough. It is a special time of year, because it is really the only time all of the cousins and extended family get together. Your cooking adventure reminded me of our little polish pierogi….(of the potato, cheese, and broccoli variety!)
Enjoy!
Melissa
May 05, 2011 @ 09:32:38
Tara,
How wonderful that you are learning these recipes for your husband, yourself and your children. My background is Polish & Ukranian and we too make pierogies – with potato & cheese – yum! I actually had some for dinner last night. The larger idea that some foods bring back memories has been playing in my head. My husband is currently with his 93 year old father who was a professional cook and it saddens me that all his wonderful work – prime rib, clear clam chowder – is now lost to us. Keep those family recipes going!!