Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Russia Date Night

Ok, so here is our Russian date night.  I cant believe we are already on to our SIXTH stop!! It has been such a blast. We both look forward to it every time I do one and can't wait to see what we pull out of the hat for the next go 'round!



"Russia, the world’s largest nation, borders European and Asian countries as well as the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Its landscape ranges from tundra and forests to subtropical beaches. It’s famous for Moscow's Bolshoi and St. Petersburg's Mariinsky ballet companies. St. Petersburg, founded by Russian leader Peter the Great, has the baroque Winter Palace, now housing part of the State Hermitage Museum’s art collection."
Population144.1 million (2015) World Bank
CurrencyRussian ruble
GovernmentSemi-presidential system
GDP per capita9,057.11 USD (2015) World Bank
Let's start off with our kick ass facts! :)
  • In Russia, during times of economic disparity or high inflation, teachers can be paid in Vodka
  • Until 2011 in Russia, anything under 10% alcohol was considered to be a foodstuff and not alcoholic
  • Russia plans to invest $65 billion USD in what would be the world’s longest tunnel (103 km/64 miles) called the TKM-World Link. The tunnel will run under the Bering Strait and connect Russia to Alaska. 
  • Pluto is smaller than Russia
  • In exchange for Pepsi products, Russia gave Pepsi 17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer. At the time, it was 7th largest submarine fleet in the world.
  • Russia is suspected to have at least 15 secret cities. These “closed cities” are officially classified by the Russian government with their names and location currently unknown. They appear on no maps, no road signs will direct you to them, and visits from foreigners are strictly prohibited
  • In 2010, a heat wave in Russia led to the deaths of over 1,000 people, the majority of whom drowned as a result of swimming while they were drunk
  •  In Soviet Russia, prisoners used to get tattoos of Lenin & Stalin, because guards were ordered not to shoot at images of national leaders.
  • Boris Yeltsin, when he was president of Russia, was found by White House secret service drunk and in his underwear on Pennsylvania Ave, trying to call a cab to get some pizza.
  • USA purchased Alaska from Russia for just $7.2 million, which, when adjusted for inflation is $118 million
  • In the 1700s, a woman in Russia gave birth to 69 children, including 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets and 4 sets of quadruplets
  • In Moscow, there are stray dogs that ride the subways on the same schedule each day to find food in more populated areas
  • The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi will be the first time that Russia has ever hosted the Winter Games. It also has the warmest climate of any city to ever host the winter games.
  • There is a theater in Russia where all the actors are cats
  • Lake Karachay in Russia that is so radioactive that it is said it can kill you within one hour if you stand near it.
  • In 2005, Russia had more abortions than live births
  • The State Hermitage Museum in Russia has a team of cats that prowl the museum to protect the artwork against rodents. These cats even carry a passport with a photo.

Everything had to be homemade for this stop on our travels.  I'm not sure if it is political and has to do with import and export laws and such or what- but I had a super hard time finding anything from Russia.  Not to worry, thanks to many a wonderful Russian food blog and website, I was able to create an authentic experience! :)


Dinner: Beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes, marinated cucumbers and tomatoes, gherkins, Russian bread and a birds milk cake for dessert.  Apple-Pear-Grape kompot to drink.

Movie: Brother

Making the kompot. Basically a homemade fruit juice that is made by simply boiling fruit with a small amount of sugar for about 30 minutes. A staple on Russian dinner tables, flavors vary based on seasonal fruits available and preference.


The first layer of the birds milk cake.  Probably one of the most unique cakes I have made and eaten.

Trimming the 'birds milk' to the cake.




Look at that puppy!

My handsome, handsome lover and I getting ready to dig in to some Russian grub!