{"id":2122,"date":"2011-06-16T08:59:06","date_gmt":"2011-06-16T08:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=2122"},"modified":"2014-07-17T14:51:06","modified_gmt":"2014-07-17T14:51:06","slug":"whats-a-russian-picnic-without-kebabs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/whats-a-russian-picnic-without-kebabs\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s a Russian Picnic Without Kebabs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n

What is one summer must-do thing that is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u043e\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u043d\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [romantic], hot, takes place \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [out in nature, outdoors] and can\u2019t be done \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0437 <\/strong>\u043c\u0443\u0436\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u00bb<\/strong> [without men]? It is, of course, \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [shish-kebabs] – favorite past-time for the short Russian summer.<\/p>\n

If there were a single maxim about \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong>, it would be \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b<\/span>\u043a <\/strong>\u044d<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u043e <\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u0435\u0434\u0430<\/span>, <\/strong>\u0430 <\/strong>\u0432\u0440\u0435\u043c\u044f\u043f\u0440\u0435\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0436\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [shish-kebab is not food, but a pastime]. In Russia, shish-kebab making is nothing short of an elaborate \u00ab<\/strong>\u0446\u0435\u0440\u0435\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [ceremony] with various \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [rules] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0440\u0430\u0434\u0438<\/span>\u0446\u0438\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [traditions].<\/p>\n

Three things make Russian shish-kebab one of the most looked-forward to events of summer – \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [fire], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0445\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0448\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u043c\u043f\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [good company] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0433\u043e\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u043c\u044f<\/span>\u0441\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [properly prepared meat]. Notice that \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [vodka] is not on the list. Not to say it is not there. It\u2019s just not the central point of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> unlike another outdoors pastime – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u044b\u0431\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [fishing].<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s examine all the ingredients of a successful \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0435<\/span>\u0437\u0434\u043a\u0430 <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [a shish-kebab outing]. First of all, note that this is a strictly outdoors experience. The location should be scenic, but fairly close to home so that raw meat doesn\u2019t spoil while being transported to the location.<\/p>\n

Beach setting is ideal as long as we\u2019re talking about a narrow beach backed by a dense tree line. \u00ab<\/strong>\u041b\u0435\u0441\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u044f <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [a glade, a clearing in the forest] is the second best option. If neither is available, \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0447\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [a summer house with a garden] can be used. However, if all you have is an exquisitely landscaped backyard or a public park \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043e <\/strong>\u0432\u0441\u0435<\/span>\u043c\u0438 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u043e<\/span>\u0431\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430\u043c\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [with all the conveniences], you are better off grilling some hamburgers and calling it a day. A certain level of \u00ab\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0442\u044b\u00bb [simplicity] of setting is required for this experience.<\/p>\n

Once the location is chosen, it\u2019s time for guys to buy meat. In general, provisioning for the shish-kebabs is handled by men and women take care of the side-dishes only. Now, Internet is full of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u0435\u0446\u0435<\/span>\u043f\u0442\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [recipes] for \u00ab<\/strong>\u044d\u043a\u0437\u043e\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [exotic shish-kebabs] – \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0443\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u044b\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [chicken], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u044b<\/span>\u0431\u043d\u044b\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [fish] and even \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u0433\u0435\u0442\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [vegetarian]. But most kebabs use good old \u00ab\u043c\u044f<\/span>\u0441\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [meat].<\/p>\n

This meat has to be \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u043c\u0430\u0440\u0438\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u0430\u043d\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [marinated], typically overnight. There is no single way to prepare the marinade. Many guys claim that they have their own \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0435\u043a\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0440\u0435\u0446\u0435<\/span>\u043f\u0442 <\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u0440\u0438\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [secret marinade recipe], but in fact much of it is done from whatever sounds and smells good and proportions are determined \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0433\u043b\u0430\u0437\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [by eye].<\/p>\n

A simple and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0432\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0435\u043c\u00bb<\/strong> [time-tested] way is to layer meat with thick-sliced rings of onion and sprinkle salt and pepper and just a little bit of white vinegar between the layers. Or you can get fancy and add crushed \u00ab<\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [garlic], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0436\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0434\u0443\u0448\u0438<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0442\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u043a\u0438\u00bb <\/strong>[fresh culinary herbs] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0438\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [wine] to the mix.<\/p>\n

But honestly, marinade is not as important as \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [fire], another thing that men take care of. To listen to men discuss the relative merits of different types of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [wood] in terms of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0436\u0430\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [heat] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u0440\u043e\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [fragrance], you\u2019d think they are experienced firefighters who moonlight as sommeliers.<\/p>\n

Once the fire is started, either in a fire pit or on \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0433\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u00bb<\/strong> [grill], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [firewood] must burn through to hot embers. It is above these \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0440\u044f<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443<\/span><\/strong>\u0433\u043b\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [hot embers] that shish-kebabs are roasted, never above the flames.<\/p>\n

While \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span> <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u044e\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [firewood burns to embers], it\u2019s time \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u043d\u0438<\/span>\u0437\u044b\u0432\u0430\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span> <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u043c\u043f\u0443\u0440\u044b<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [to place kebabs on the skewers]. The word \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> comes from a Tartar word for a pike or a spit. Unlike flimsy American skewers, Russian \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u043c\u043f\u0443\u0440\u044b<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [skewers] are long heavy and flat metal spikes that even look like Medieval weapons.<\/p>\n

Marinated meat is skewered on along with some of the onion rings from the marinade and some fresh tomatoes. Then skewers are placed about 2 inches above hot embers and turned occasionally until ready.<\/p>\n

Only once kebabs are done and served can the drinking really begin (although the first shot of vodka is frequently drunk right after \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0431\u044b<\/span>\u0442\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u043c\u0435<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [arrival at the picnic place]. But again, the point of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> is neither drinking, nor eating.<\/p>\n

The point is \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043b\u0443\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u043e\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u043e\u0442 <\/strong>\u0445\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0448\u0435\u0439 <\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u043c\u043f\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [to enjoy a good company]. This means some good old \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [singing], ideally accompanied by a guitar. It also means lots and lots of talking – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u043d\u0435\u043a\u0434\u043e<\/span>\u0442\u044b, <\/strong>\u0441\u043f\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u043d\u0438, <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0430 <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u0442\u0430\u043a <\/strong>\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u0435\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [anecdotes, rumors, politics and such]. Finally, \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> as an event \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0443\u0442\u0441\u044f <\/strong>\u0434\u043e <\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/span>\u0437\u0434\u043d\u0435\u0439 <\/strong>\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [extend late into the night] even after all the food has been eaten.<\/p>\n

Have you tried Russian \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong>? If not, you still have time before the weekend to pull it together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

What is one summer must-do thing that is \u00ab\u0440\u043e\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0442\u0438\u0447\u043d\u043e\u00bb [romantic], hot, takes place \u00ab\u043d\u0430 \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0435\u00bb [out in nature, outdoors] and can\u2019t be done \u00ab\u0431\u0435\u0437 \u043c\u0443\u0436\u0447\u0438\u043d\u00bb [without men]? It is, of course, \u00ab\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u0438\u00bb [shish-kebabs] – favorite past-time for the short Russian summer. If there were a single maxim about \u00ab\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a\u00bb, it would be \u00ab\u0448\u0430\u0448\u043b\u044b\u043a \u044d\u0442\u043e \u043d\u0435…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":2123,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3,7827,913],"tags":[385636,60717,1284,1288,60715,60716,60714],"class_list":["post-2122","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-russian-life","category-traditions","tag-russian-food","tag-russian-picnic","tag-russian-summer","tag-russian-traditions","tag-shashliki","tag-shishkebabs","tag-things-to-do-in-russia"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2122"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2122\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6328,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2122\/revisions\/6328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}