Russian oatmeal cookies (ovsyanoe pechenie, Rus. овсяное печенье) is a rustic and cozy tea time treat. The beauty of this oatmeal cookie lies in its simplicity – nothing fancy, just simple earnest flavour and crispy texture.
The main ingredients of ovsyanoe pechenie is oatmeal, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon. The cookies are then formed and baked. Traditional oatmeal cookies are very popular in Russia and they are always found in confectionery deparments or at the food markets.
You can crunch these oatmeal cookies out loud, or you can dip in a cup of tea. Sooo comforting.
Sweetened condensed milk (Rus. сгущенное молоко) is a thick sweet substance made by vaporizing water from milk. It is usually produced in tin cans that can last for years (unopened and in refrigerators).
Condensed milk is popular around the world in many desserts dishes and treats. In Russia condensed milk is produced in a tin with a well recognized design: dark and light blue background and white letters.
It is very popular to drink tea or coffee with a spoon (or two) of condensed milk, or spread it over a toast like jam. It is also very popular in desserts such as pirozhnoe Kartoshka or as a filling of various pastries. It’s also loved by many home chefs as an ingedient for an easy delicious cream for cakes – just beating condensed milk up with softened butter, it can’t be any easier.
During Soviet times some people would additionally boil a tin of condensed milk in a pan filled with water. The result is so called boiled condensed milk which has a caramel flavor and colour. Nowadays you can buy this product in the shops.
Origin
Condensed milk was invented in the middle of 19 century by an American Gail Borden. There was a practical need for that – back in the day it was a challenge to keep milk fresh for long. Soon after creation of this product Gail Borden established a company that manufactured condensed milk.
During the American Civil War the U.S. government ordered huge amounts of condensed milk as field ration for solders. This was an extraordinary field ration for the 19th century: a typical 10 oz (300 ml) can contained 1,300 Calories (5440 kJ), 1 oz (28 g) each of protein and fat, and more than 7 oz (200 g) of carbohydrate.
Soldiers returning home from the Civil War soon spread the word. Gail Borden became very prosperous, moved to the county in Texas that was soon called after him- Borden county, and build several other factories which he passed onto his sons.
The popularity of this product was up and down thorough the 20 century, but it has gained its niche – not only condensed milk is good as a ration item for soldiers and survivalist, but it is very popular around the globe in many dessert dishes.
Kukuruznye palochki (corn pops) are puffy and foamy sweet sticks, slightly powdered with a sweet coating. This tea time treat melts in your mouth and children in Russia treat this food as a delicacy (and so do some adults). Beware: these sweet bites are very addictive, when you open the pack you’ll finish them in a blink of an eye (except Self control is your second name). This product is also very popular in Baltic countries.
Zefir is Russian sweets made from fruit and berry puree, some sugar and egg white. This excellent tea-time desert has a fruity taste and its spongy texture similar to marshmallow.
Another very popular variation of this confectionery is “zefir-v-shokolade” – chocholate-coated zefir.
