{"id":4264,"date":"2012-12-06T08:00:07","date_gmt":"2012-12-06T08:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=4264"},"modified":"2014-07-17T19:11:53","modified_gmt":"2014-07-17T19:11:53","slug":"sweet-tooth-and-sweet-table","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/sweet-tooth-and-sweet-table\/","title":{"rendered":"Sweet Tooth and Sweet Table"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

The New Year is \u043d\u0435 \u0437\u0430 \u0433\u043e\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u0438<\/strong> (not far away). Have you put together your holiday menu? If not yet, then how about having \u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439<\/strong> (sweet) \u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b<\/strong> (table)? Don\u2019t worry, you won\u2019t need to perform miracles of\u00a0confectionery\u00a0mastery crafting a table out of sugar or covering your tabletop with ganache. What \u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b<\/strong> means is a holiday meal that consists only of \u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u043e\u0435<\/strong> (sweets) and \u0434\u0435\u0441\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0442\u044b<\/strong> (desserts) and most of them can be bought at a Russian store near you!<\/p>\n

Do you love sweets? Then let\u2019s learn a great Russian word for someone who is \u043f\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u043d\u0430 \u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438<\/strong> (a sucker for sweets):<\/p>\n

\u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u043e\u0435<\/span>\u0436\u043a\u0430<\/strong><\/p>\n

As you can see, this is a compound noun made up of \u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439<\/strong> (sweet) and \u0435\u0448\u044c<\/strong> (a form of the Russian verb \u201cto eat\u201d).<\/p>\n

Russian dessert table is somewhat similar to a regular \u0437\u0430\u0441\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u0435 <\/strong>(a feast).\u00a0It will have lots and lots of little appetizers, a main course and even its own dessert. Except it will all be served at the same time. How awesome is that?! Here are some of the sweets you might be offered.<\/p>\n

\u0428\u043e\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0430\u0434 <\/strong>(chocolate) –\u00a0As with any other candy, Russians have a bewildering variety of chocolates and somewhat of an unwritten rule about which kind to serve when. For example, small \u0448\u043e\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u044b\u0435 \u043a\u043e\u043d\u0444\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u044b<\/strong> (chocolate candies) individually wrapped in colorful \u0444\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/strong> (candy wrappers) are usually reserved for children or small gatherings with close friends. But chocolates filled with liquor are exempt from this rule.<\/p>\n

If there are chocolates on the “sweet table”, they are most likely to be a part of \u0448\u043e\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u043d\u0430\u0431\u043e<\/span>\u0440<\/strong> (box of chocolates). The boxes the chocolates come in are gorgeous and the chocolates are not bad either, especially the so-called \u043f\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u044c\u0435 \u043c\u043e\u043b\u043e\u043a\u043e<\/span><\/strong> (souffle in dark chocolate; lit: bird\u2019s milk).<\/p>\n

\u041f\u0440\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/strong> – usually translated as gingerbread or spice cakes, these are delicious, whether made with \u043c\u0451\u0434<\/strong> (honey) or \u043f\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u043e\u043a\u0430<\/strong> (molasses). I never tasted any \u0438\u043c\u0431\u0438<\/span>\u0440\u044c<\/strong> (ginger) or \u0441\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u0446\u0438\u0438<\/strong> (spices) in any of the commercially made ones though.<\/p>\n

\u0421\u0443\u0445\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/strong> – these look like biscotti, but are much much better. They usually are vanilla flavored and might have some \u0438\u0437\u044e<\/span>\u043c<\/strong> (raisins) in them. Dunk them in your tea, if you wish. Or put some \u0432\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435<\/strong> (preserves) on them and start making loud crunching sounds. For these reasons, not to mention lots of crumbs, \u0441\u0443\u0445\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/strong> are not served at more formal occasions. Pitty.<\/p>\n

\u041f\u0435\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435<\/strong> – this can mean anything from scones to crackers to cookies. \u041f\u0435\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435<\/strong> is usually unglazed, crumbly, soft and delicious. It is a a subset of \u0432\u044b\u043f\u0435\u0447\u043a\u0430 (baked goods) which include anything that is sweet and baked.<\/p>\n

\u041f\u0438\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u043e\u0435<\/strong> (pastry) – these can mean just about any kind of sweet pastry. Some of my favorite \u043f\u0438\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u044b\u0435<\/strong> include \u041a\u0430\u0440\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0448\u043a\u0430<\/strong> (potato-shaped sweets made with crushed \u043f\u0435\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435<\/strong> mixed with cocoa powder, butter and condensed milk), \u0442\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0431\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0438<\/strong> (little horns of puff pastry with meringue filling), and \u041e\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0448\u043a\u0438<\/strong> (dough nuggets filled with condensed milk). Do not confuse \u043f\u0438\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u044b\u0435<\/strong> with \u043f\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0436\u043a\u0438<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0which might or might not be sweet.<\/p>\n

Other sweets you might encounter include<\/p>\n

\u0426\u0443\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044b<\/strong> – candied citrus or watermelon peels, usually home-made.
\n\u0425\u0430\u043b\u0432\u0430<\/span><\/strong> (halva) – usually, a flour-based sweet and crumbly confection.
\n\u0417\u0435\u0444\u0438<\/span>\u0440<\/strong> – a jellied meringue, sometimes dipped in chocolate. When fresh, it tastes better than it sounds.
\n\u041a\u043e\u0437\u0438\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u043a\u0438<\/strong> – small dense candies made entirely of pressed walnuts or sunflower seeds with honey. They spell death to your dental work, but what a delicious death it is!<\/p>\n

All these goodies are usually served on attractive plates and in \u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0438<\/strong>. \u0412\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430<\/strong> is, of course, a diminutive of \u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u0430<\/strong> (a vase). Which might sound confusing. How (and why) do you serve cookies in a vase? But in Russia, \u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430<\/strong> is a small deep but wide serving dish, frequently made of etched glass. Hence the oft-used phrase<\/p>\n

\u041f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0439\u0442\u0435, \u043f\u043e\u0436\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u0443\u0439\u0441\u0442\u0430, \u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0443 \u0441 \u0432\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435\u043c<\/strong> – Please, pass me the the little vase with the preserves.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget, these are just appetizers! Time to move on to the main course. At the “sweet table” it will be \u0442\u043e\u0440\u0442<\/strong> (layered cake) or \u043f\u0438\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0433<\/strong> (fruit pie). Or both. \u041f\u0438\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0433<\/strong> is more casual and comforting. So for the New Year’s \u0442\u043e\u0440\u0442<\/strong> is usually served. Russians in the US like serving \u0447\u0438\u0437\u043a\u0435<\/span>\u0439\u043a<\/strong> also known by its less sexy name as \u0442\u0432\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u043f\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0438\u043d\u0433<\/strong> (cheesecake).<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t buy into this fad. You can have cheesecake any other time. For a truly Russian \u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b<\/strong> serve something traditional – \u041a\u043e\u0440\u043e\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0432\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u0442\u043e\u0440\u0442<\/strong> (Royal cake), \u041a\u0438<\/span>\u0435\u0432\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u0442\u043e\u0440\u0442<\/strong> (Kiev cake), \u043c\u0435\u0434\u043e\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u043a<\/strong> (honey cake) or the amazing \u041d\u0430\u043f\u043e\u043b\u0435\u043e<\/span>\u043d<\/strong> (Napoleon cake). It will all be delicious many-layered goodness with (usually) heavy butter and condensed milk frosting and lots of nuts.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, you might want to nibble on the dessert part of this dessert table – \u0444\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u043a\u0442\u044b<\/strong> (fruits). But just nibble or the hostess, thinking that you might still be hungry, will offer you yet another piece of cake.<\/p>\n

\u0415\u0449\u0451<\/span> \u043a\u0443\u0441\u043e<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u043a \u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0430?<\/strong> – Would you like another slice of cake?<\/p>\n

Desserts mean \u0447\u0430\u0435\u043f\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0438\u0435<\/strong> (a tea party), so expect lots of \u0447\u0430\u0439<\/strong> (tea) phrases like<\/p>\n

\u0412\u044b \u0431\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u0442\u0435 \u0447\u0430\u0439 \u0438<\/span>\u043b\u0438 \u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0444\u0435?<\/strong> – Will you be drinking tea or coffee?
\n\u041a\u0430\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0439 \u0447\u0430\u0439 \u0432\u044b \u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0435\u0442\u0435?<\/strong> – What kind of tea do you prefer?
\n\u0415\u0449\u0451<\/span> \u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u0435\u0447\u043a\u0443?<\/strong> – More tea (or coffee)?
\n\u0412\u0430\u043c \u0447\u0430\u0439 \u0441 \u043c\u0451<\/span>\u0434\u043e\u043c \u0438<\/span>\u043b\u0438 \u0441\u0430<\/span>\u0445\u0430\u0440\u043e\u043c?<\/strong> – Will you drink your tea with honey or sugar?<\/p>\n

Unless it\u2019s a children\u2019s party, you will also be offered \u0447\u0442\u043e<\/span>-\u0442\u043e \u043f\u043e\u043a\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043f\u0447\u0435<\/strong> (something a bit stronger) than tea, \u0441\u043e\u043a<\/strong> (juice) or \u043b\u0438\u043c\u043e\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u0434<\/strong> (fizzy lemonade). Vodka is viewed as a universal pairing by some eager hosts. But generally, for a \u201csweet table\u201d, you\u2019ll have a choice of\u00a0\u0448\u0430\u043c\u043f\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435<\/strong> (sparking wine), \u0432\u0438\u043d\u043e<\/span><\/strong> (wine) and \u043a\u043e\u043d\u044c\u044f<\/span>\u043a<\/strong> (cognac). Oh, plus whatever liquor is in the chocolate candies.<\/p>\n

And now you know what to expect in case you are invited to a New Year\u2019s celebration and your Russian host tells you (somewhat apologetically) that it won\u2019t be a big affair, just a \u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b<\/strong>. \u0421\u044a\u0435<\/span>\u043c, \u043f\u043e\u0436\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u0443\u0439, \u0435\u0449\u0451 \u043a\u0443\u0441\u043e<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u043a \u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0430, \u043d\u043e \u0441 \u0437\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0442\u0440\u0430\u0448\u043d\u0435\u0433\u043e \u0434\u043d\u044f – \u0432 \u0441\u043f\u043e\u0440\u0437\u0430<\/span>\u043b \u0438 \u043d\u0430 \u0434\u0438\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0443.<\/strong> (I’ll have another slice of cake after all, but starting tomorrow I’ll go to a gym and start dieting).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

The New Year is \u043d\u0435 \u0437\u0430 \u0433\u043e\u0440\u0430\u043c\u0438 (not far away). Have you put together your holiday menu? If not yet, then how about having \u0441\u043b\u0430\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439 (sweet) \u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b (table)? Don\u2019t worry, you won\u2019t need to perform miracles of\u00a0confectionery\u00a0mastery crafting a table out of sugar or covering your tabletop with ganache. What \u0441\u043b\u0430\u0434\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b means is…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":4265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4264","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4264","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=4264"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11242,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4264\/revisions\/11242"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}