6 Russian dishes that taste (a lot) better than they look

There’s a lot of prejudice surrounding Russian cuisine. No one seems to know what it is, and no one (in the UK, anyway) seems to care. I’ll be the first to admit that on first impression, it doesn’t always sell itself. But Russians know how to cook wholesome and tasty dishes, and make the most of what they have to hand. Everyone else is missing out. So in defence of ugly Russian cuisine, here are some of the best (vegetarian) foods you should give a chance.

Vinaigrette Salad

This bright pink, French-sounding dish is one of the most striking you’ll come across in Russia. Don’t be alarmed - it’s supposed to be that colour! The colour leeches out of the diced beetroot, turning the salad bowl a luminous fuchsia colour. Potatoes, carrots, sauerkraut and peas are also diced and added to the salad. It doesn’t sound particularly interesting, but that’s where you’d be wrong. Maybe it’s something in the texture, the variety of ingredients...whatever it is, it’s strangely addictive.

Blini

You’ve probably heard of these Russian pancakes, often enjoyed with caviar. They’ve become popular the world over, and every family has their own recipe. This makes it difficult to generalise, but I want to pay homage to my favourite kind of blini made by my lovely Russian host. She cooks up the batter using kefir instead of milk, and leaves the mix out overnight to ferment some more. This creates blini which are delightfully sour and go perfectly with some super-sweet condensed milk or jam.

Medovik

It would be an understatement to say I have a sweet tooth, and cake is definitely one of my favourite foods. I love sitting down to enjoy a slice with a cup of tea and some good friends. All the better if the cake is homemade! ‘Medovik’, or Russian honey cake is definitely one of my favourites. It’s a tricky one to recreate at home though. The cake is constructed by layering lots of thin sponges on top of each other, with a sweet honey cream in between. It’s indulgent and delicious.

Chak-Chak

This sweet treat is actually a Tatar delicacy. Tatarstan is a region of Russia where two different Russian cultures live together, and have done for centuries. Tatars speak their own (Turkic) language and have a proud and distinct culture of their own. ‘Chak-chak’ is one of the most beloved of their specialties. Essentially, it is pieces of fried dough, pressed together with honey. It sounds strange, but it’s crispy, chewy, fatty and sweet. What’s not to like? Chak-chak come in all shapes and sizes. Some are even ceremonial ones designed to be enjoyed at weddings, and decorated in the traditional Tatar style with pieces of dried fruit puree.

Kvass

Kvass is technically a drink, but it more than deserves a place on this list and in your stomach. Some people compare it to Marmite - you either love it or hate it. And I have to say, although the taste takes a sip or two to get used to it, I’m firmly in the ‘love’ camp. It’s a (very slightly alcoholic) fermented beverage, made from rye bread. It’s fizzy, sweet and beer-like. Someone once told me it’s like Russia’s answer to Coca-Cola. I’m not sure about that, but it’s certainly interesting....

Pishki

This is a Russian treat that everyone can agree on. Russians are particularly nostalgic about these light and greasy doughnuts. They bring back warm memories of sugar-induced happiness in Soviet canteens. I first tried these in St. Petersburg, at a little shop where the queue led all the way out onto the street, despite the bitter November weather. Inside, not a single person ate less than five in one sitting. They’re so delicate and moreish that as soon as you taste it, you’ll know why. They’re dirt cheap (a few pence each), and washed down with tooth-rotting-ly sweet coffee. You can buy nice posh versions with icing, but the original is best.

There's so much to Russian food beyond the stereotype of cabbage and meat. These dishes haven't been improved by my poor-quality smartphone photography, but however foreign they look, I promise they're worth a try. What's the worst that could happen?