"Marinated Oyster Mushrooms"

Pickled Straw or Oyster Mushrooms is a traditional Russian and Middle European side dish and condiment.  As a "ready-to-eat product, it does not require much preparation.  It can be consumed with other appetizers  on cold meat sandwiches, added to salads and other cold dishes.  It stimulates digestions and activates appetite. This recipe is perfect for large parties. 

"Ambrosia Dessert Pasta Salad"

A delicious creamy, fruity pasta salad.  It’s a favorite at family get togethers.  The pasta looks similar to tapioca after it’s cooked.  If you make this salad and take it to a party, be prepared to be asked for the recipe:) I got this recipe from my sister in law at Thanksgiving party. I couldn't get enough of this salad, it's that good. I added peaches to it, and it taste even more delicious .

Pastry Puff Vanilla Bean Cream Horns "Trubochki"

 Surprisingly simple to make and so delicious, cream horns are a very special treat. Cream Horns (also called Trubochki) are made of  Pastry Puff. Filled with very light and delightful whipped cream. Try one for yourself and you will be delighted. I finally ordered my Cream Horn Molds. Really excited to make these for my neighbors, teachers etc.  for Christmas.  

Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas

Though it is true that Christmas is celebrated as the day of the Birth of Christ into this world, yet it also symbolizes a very deeply significant truth of the spiritual life. Jesus Christ is the very personification of Divinity. Christ it is EXTREMELY important to us Christians. We celebrate the miracle-virgin birth of the Savior of the World. Without this birth there would be no salvation. Christmas is also a time where we exchange gifts (representing how God gave his son to us as a gift), and to many, giving and receiving is important. This simple tradition gives joy to those who partake, and brings family and friends closer together. This is exiting time of the year for my family. Here is some ideas to make your holiday dinner planning  easier:)))

"Eggplant Rolls"

 These delicious rolls are perfect for parties and holidays. Delicious baked or fried eggplant slices rolled and stuffed with a savory mushrooms, bell pepper and carrot filling. This can be a great vegetarian entrée or a tasty side dish to your favorite meal.

Russian Honey Layered Cake Medovik "Медовик"

Medovik is one of the most popular cakes in Russia. It is also known as Honey layered cake. Well, this is my favorite cake. Since I can remember at parties and weddings we always had it. It's full of honey flavor, aroma and it's really soft. Perfect for coming holidays.  One of my readers Monika asked for this recipe. It took a while for me, but here it is:))) 

Kid Favorite Chicken Tortillas

This easy chicken quesadilla recipe stuffed with chicken, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese is  perfect for kids. This is too easy for it to call a recipe. It's just a idea what to make for kids. I make it for my kids all the time. They love it, teenagers and toddlers.

The Easiest Kids Pizza Ever

This was an idea when my 5 year old asked for pizza. I came up with this pizza with what I had on hand. It came out to be the delicious 5 min pizza. It's awesome that you can customize this pizza for each person to their taste. I want to share this with everybody, so you all can enjoy making this pizza with your kids.

Easy Meringue Cake "Earl Ruins!" {Графские Pазвалины}

A simple recipe, you can make in 20 min! With little effort and without spending a lot of time - make "Earl ruins!" cake. It looks impressive, it's very tasty and easy to make. You can add all kinds of nuts, fruits, toppings, chocolate...  

"Caramelized Cinnamon Tortilla Chips"

This is the easiest sweet snack ever.  Have left over tortillas? Use them to make your own homemade tortilla chips. I made em with whole wheat tortillas too, my kids love em.  Here is my simple recipe with step by step photos.

Better Than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice

Fried Rice is the most-ordered Chinese food in the world. This is an easy fried rice recipe. A great way to use up leftover rice with sweet soy sauce. This recipe is great for any custom taste, you can make it into vegetarian or seafood versions.  I love rice and I make lots of dishes with it. Russian Plov is our all time favorite then Fried Rice, Shrimp and Rice Burritto, Rice and Cream, Russian Chicken Rice Tefteli and Sushi. 

Gum Paste Recipe

Homemade gum paste is better than premade in most cases because it is less expensive and creates a product that is easier to use. Premade gum paste tends to be a little stiffer and more likely to crack. There are four elements to making gum paste which are ingredients, mixing, kneading and storing.It is important to allot enough time when creating gum paste because each step is crucial to the finished product and ultimately the flowers you create. I started learning with fondant, because I could go and buy the ingredients. I moved on to gum paste now and loving it. Gum paste is similar to fondant  in many ways. It is a pliable sugar dough that you can roll, mold and shape into virtually any figure you desire. Many fondant tools also work with gum paste. The major difference lies in the fact that gum paste dries much quicker, and harder, than fondant. 

I am selling my gumpaste creations at my  Etsy Shop

"Nutella Swirled Birthday Cake"

This swirl of Nutella cake taste delicious!  Nutella swirl cakes is perfect combination of hazelnut and chocolate. My daughter turned 13 and I made this cake for her Birthday party.


Check out my Etsy Shop for cake decorations!

Pistachio Fruit Pudding

This fluffy salad is a real treat since it's creamy but not overly sweet. It's easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. This recipe is super simple and can be changed to suit your tastes. Just add additional fruit and/or nuts.

"Tiramisu Cake Recipe"

My moms version of tiramisu cake. I been making this tiramisu recipe from scratch for years now. I love cakes made with coffee. There are 2 kinds of creams frosting that combined together. Look for giveaway at the end. It's something fun for your kitchen:))) 

"Cream Cheese Pecan Pie"

Cheesecake meets pecan pie in this smooth and decadent seasonal dessert.

Cabbage Salad in Brine

This is a very festive, perfect for holidays salad. The best thing about it, that you can make it a few days in advance before your party. And it will be good for up to a month in the fridge. I love to make it for parties, it's just so simple. 

"Cranberry Jello Salad"

This salad is so tasty & bursting with flavor that accents your turkey and dressing...ham, too. This recipe has been around for 40-50 years and so perfect to serve at each holiday. I been making it for a few years now. Make it your tradition, too!

Herring Under Fur Coat Salad "Селедка под шубой"

It’s hard to know what to make of this dish at first glance. From a distance, its vaguely cake like appearance often leads it to be mistaken for a dessert, when it is actually a type of salad. In fact, this dish, which consists of one layer of salted herring, vegetables and eggs, with a topmost coating of mayonnaise and grated beets lending a rich purple color, is probably the most popular of all Russian salads. It is found on nearly every New Year’s table, and often makes an appearance at birthdays and other holidays as well. I been eating this salad as long I can remember. My mom always made it for us. It became my favorite salad since I can remember.

"Thanksgiving Dinner Party Ideas"

Planning a Thanksgiving dinner? Let me help with food ideas:))) Whether you're entertaining for a large group at a holiday party or throwing a small ... party at home, I have a good ideas for Thanksgiving food recipes. It's going to be mixed with our traditions.

Garlic Roasted Yams

Give ordinary roasted sweet potatoes a big flavor boost with  garlic and spices. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes may be one of nature's unsurpassed sources of beta-carotene. Perfect side dish for Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

"Caramel Kix Balls"

 This is the easiest kids snack. Perfect for holidays parties. Only 3 ingredients and it taste delicious. My friend gave me this recipe when I was visiting her.

"Tres Leches Cake"

 Just in time for the holidays.This is a part dry, part moist Mexican cake made with three types of milk. It is a sweet and delicious treat! The three milks in the soaking sauce for Tres Leches are sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. The heavy cream is also whipped up to use as the topping. Due to the rich ingredients and that it is soaked in a creamy syrup, Tres Leches Cake is extremely dense and moist, almost like a custard. I made it with my own decoration:)

Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend

This blend includes Israeli style couscous, Orzo, Baby Garbanzo beans and Red quinoa. It’s bright, crunchy and colorful – what’s not to love!  It's hearty, healthy and absolutely delicious. The texture and taste is slightly nutty and complements any main dish, especially with some fresh chopped parsley. You can also mix it with shrimp or scallops for a tasty and simple meal. It's ready in about 15 minutes. I stuffed Thanksgiving Turkey with it. 

Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Everyone loves the turkey at Thanksgiving, even the turkey hater! I've now been named the official Thanksgiving Turkey Maker in our family. I been preparing turkey for almost 2 decades. If you are looking for the best juicy turkey recipe, this is it!!! You found it:) Now you can make the best turkey dinner for your family.

Important to follow to get the juicy turkey:

1. Buy turkey on Monday.
2. Defrost by Wednesday
3. Marinade on Wednesday night
4. Cook 3-4 hours on Thanksgiving day

"French Persimmon Tart"

So here’s my first attempt at making persimmon puff pastry tart. It turned out to be so simple and delicious. I  was surprised how tasty cooked persimmons turned out. All you need is a tiny bit of sugar  and butter, and ta-da - a sweet, rather creamy tart. No need to even peel the fruit. This tart has a lovely airy buttery crust and the ripe persimmons are currently in season so it was a great way to enjoy them. You can enjoy this persimmon tart–alone, with whipped cream, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Baked Crab Sandwiches

Hearty sandwiches are always a speedy supper solution. This hot and tasty version dresses up plain crab meat with a blend of seasonings and cheese.

Russian Napoleon Cake "Hаполеон"

Experience true decadence without too much effort when you make this Napoleon Cake. It's unlike other dessert recipes, you'll be begging for more after the first bite. This fantastic 8-layer cake has been our favorite family holiday cake for lot's of years. Don't get scared away by they number of layers. This dough recipe is the best taste and it's easy to make. It's rich flavor and great moist tender texture make it all worthwhile!

Chanterelle Mushrooms Recipe "Лисички"

When chanterelle season is in full swing, we eat like queens. Their apricot-like aroma is augmented by a subtle, peppery flavor that offers a richness prized by chefs everywhere. Meaty and chewy, chanterelles must be cooked for their full flavor to truly shine. These golden beauties work well in butter and oil. Plucked from the forest floor, chanterelle mushrooms provide a true taste of the local landscape — the conifer forests of the Pacific Northwest. Chanterelles are relatively high in vitamin C,  very high in potassium and among the richest sources of vitamin D known, with ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as high as 2500 IU/100 grams fresh weight.

{Whipped Cream Surprise Cake}

Everyone loves cakes from childhood prepared by mom or grandma. And this cake is a worthy element dessert menu for any celebration.

"Pumpkin Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Frosting "

Nothing fills the house with the smell of autumn' like a pumpkin cupcake recipe baking. This pumpkin cupcake recipe is perfect for fall parties, potlucks and picnics with the family. Serve this pumpkin cupcake recipe with my favorite dulce de leche  frosting and come up with some creative Thanksgiving cupcake ideas. Your friends will love how clever you are when you serve them something outside the normal with this pumpkin cupcake recipe.

Asparagus Wrapped in Pastry Puff

Easy to prepare, but oh so elegant...these tempting appetizers feature asparagus spears individually wrapped with garlic herbs and Parmesan cheese and flaky puff pastry. Try this scrumptious asparagus in crunchy pastry puff recipe:)

"Butternut Squash Purses"

 These are perfect vegetarian pastries. I made butternut squash for the first time and it was a hit at my house. My husband said it taste like meat. If you never tried butternut squash, give this recipe a try.

Pastry Meat Potato Pie

 I decided to make a potato pie with my pastry puff that I had in my fridge. It turned out really well. Flaky on the outside, soft meat potato inside, perfect combination. If you a potato fan, this would be great pie to make for your family:)

Apple Ricotta Pastry Butterflies

Delicious, yet so easy to make. Anyone can do these classic apple pastries! Apples baked in flaky pastry with cinnamon and brown sugar with ricotta are irresistible.