What's the deal with "tasty dishes" anyway?

[Cal]

What's the deal with Eastern European women talking about cooking tasty dishes?  From what I have experienced, Russian and Ukrainian food isn't all that tasty.  Some Russian and Ukrainian friends here say that the marriage agencies tell the women that American men look for this, but frankly I'm looking for a life partner, not a cook. I don't think I am in the minority either, so are the marriage agencies pushing this or do the women really like cooking?

Oh, before I forget, I'd like to comment on an observation of this forum.  In the midst of the ongoing warfare in Iraq, I am quite aware it is difficult to maintain perspective.  We are here in this discussion forum to learn and teach others of the virtues and vices of relationships with Eastern European women, not to get into "flame wars" about issues best left to other discussion forums.  Yes, the topics are important and perhaps relevant, but can they be toned down a bit?  Personal attacks against opposing viewpoints don't refect well on the otherwise intelligent membership of this forum IMHO.  Are we here to talk about Eastern European women or what?  

Regardless of your feelings and personal views on the war, you are entitled to them.  On this forum,  keeping them to yourself would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Calvin

[DanM]

... in response to What's the deal with "tasty dishes&..., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

I don't know what Russian or Ukrainian food you have tasted, but a lot of it is excellent. My wife is a great cook and I have had to take up jogging again as a result. : )

As for women talking about how well they can cook, this is not new. Remember the old saying, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach". I am not saying this does it for you, but maybe you can acknowledge this is a commonly held belief in many cultures.

[Zoidberg]

... in response to Re: What's the deal with "tasty dis..., posted by DanM on Apr 9, 2003

I have heard many times "the way to a man's heart...." saying but my girl on an early letter told me how she cooks but it may not be edible... So not all do that... I'll find out soon if she is just being modest...

Z.

[Dan]

... in response to What's the deal with "tasty dishes&..., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

What are some of the "tasty dishes" the girls are referring to?

Or are you asking if there is some odd interpretation from Russian to English in the phrase "tasty dishes"?

- Dan

[Cal]

... in response to Do You Mean . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 8, 2003

I felt the pain of many a Russian and Ukrainian the moment I tried salo.  You could grease a transaxle with this stuff, but the older men love it and amazing they don't associate that with a young death rate in men.  My arteries hardened on contact.  I could have brushed with Dawn dishwashing liquid to get the taste out of my mouth.  With economic woes and poor distribution outside of major cities, I have been told that food is either a complete hit or a complete miss, with nothing in between except lots of animal fat.  Seems like Ukraine and Russia define "lean cuisine" as eating bread, perhaps smeared with salo, or going hungry a lot.

A Russian friend said of the women, "They only look that good because they cannot afford food and are always hungry!"  So besides starvation, how can a slinky model-type devka keep the figure tasty while at the same time cooking "tasty dishes?"   Sounds like the agencies think we're all Ward Cleavers looking for a June.

So what happens when a starving krasavitsa pisannya discovers Taco Bell?  :^)

Calvin the Curmudgin

[DanM]

... in response to Re: Do You Mean . . ., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

My girl stays thin because she eats more vegitables and less starchy foods. Also she does not eat a lot of fatty foods either. Maybe some Russians eat as you have described, but you also need to know that many do not.

Imagine if a foreigner came to this country and thought everyone ate food like they serve in McDonalds.

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Do You Mean . . ., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

Hi Curmy,

The truth is - most of the ladies I know ONLY have trouble with weight gain AFTER they manage to get pregnant ;-)

I can't think of a single RW I know who frequents Taco Bell (or any other fast food restaurant). My wife and her RW friends in America, are ALL very conscious of their diets.

As for salo - yeah, it is an acquired taste - or so I am told. If you like, you can find some chocolate-covered salo delivered to your home right here in the US of A.

My suspicion is that few RW are really good cooks by western standards. There are, of course, exceptions (such as Jack's Natalya who worked as a chef), but most work with very basic fare and are not trained in the styles of cooking that are popular in America. Such cuisine as Italian, Mexican and others are relatively uncommon in Ukraine (at least).

On the plus side, they are quick learners and willing to adapt, so any shortcoming will probably be short-lived.

FWIW

- Dan

[Jersey Mike]

... in response to Poor Advice . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 9, 2003

Dan,
Try visiting Brighton Beach, Brooklyn and hang out on the boardwalk some summer evening.  You might reconsider your opinion that many FSU women living in the USA, with abundant food available and limited exercise, don't quickly morph into rather full-figured babushkas-to-be!  (Why is it that the women who absolutely shouldn't be wearing the tightest clothes and the shortest dresses insist on doing so? LOL!)  There are, of course, some spectacular bodies mixed in, mostly on the very young women.

Not trying to be argumentative, but I do not believe there is much difference between FSU women and AW when it comes to taking care of themselves and their weight, at least not here in the NYC area.  You are lucky that your wife and her friends are watching their figures!

Best of luck!

[Dan]

... in response to Re: A different view!, posted by Jersey Mike on Apr 9, 2003

My 'sample' is far from random.

I also have noticed (in a TOTALLY unscientific manner) that a very large proportion of people in the major population centers of the NorthEastern US are overweight. Perhaps owing to a more active lifestyle, I've observed less of that in Western US cities. I wonder if that factors into the equation in some way.

Thinking about it, I personally know probably 2 dozen (or more) ladies here in the US from the FSU. They span the geographic gamut from Russia to Ukraine to Lithuania - and the age gamut from mid-20's to late-50's. A couple of them are naturally large - but none are overweight.

I believe you about Brighton Beach. By the way - is it safe to hang out on the boardwalk in Brighton Beach in the evening? --smile--

Cheers!

- Dan

[Jersey Mike]

... in response to Admittedly . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 9, 2003

Dan,
Regarding Brighton Beach, it is absolutely safe, especially during the summer evenings.  There are a few Russian restaurants that you can enter from the boardwalk, and they have outdoor seating areas which are usually packed.  (My first date with my ex was at such a place called Tatiana's.)  In the evening in the summer, there is a constant stream of people walking along the boardwalk, and you won't hear much english being spoken.  Late at night (after midnight), there are a few transient types hanging out and they probably aren't the most savory types though.  However, my ex-wife used to live in an apartment building with her friends right on the boardwalk, and none of them ever had the slightest problem.

I know a lot of FSU immigrants who do not like Brighton Beach, which is often the first home for many recent FSU immigrants to the US.  (They say it is "too Russian"!  LOL!)   Admittedly, BB isn't very clean, with a lot of trash on the streets and alley ways.  (Many residents, unfortunately, don't have much of a stigma against littering or just leaving their trash outside their buildings.  Other Brooklyn neighborhoods like Sheepshead Bay, Bay Ridge, and Bensonhurst, now have big FSU populations and are much cleaner and nicer, even though they haven't necessarily been known for eastern European immigrants in the past.)  Walking along Brighton Beach Avenue, you will pass many little Russian restaurants and small grocery shops which are frequented by the local residents.

One of the more interesting sights occurs nightly at about 5:30 or 6 PM.  Small groups of attractive younger women begin to congregate at various locations, and are soon picked up by vans.  I asked my ex-wife about this, and she told me that these girls work as exotic dancers around the metropolitan NYC/NJ/Long Island area, and the vans are operated by the agencies who handle their bookings and provide the travel to and from work. Ah America, land of opportunity, don't you just love it!

Best wishes!

[DanM]

... in response to Re: A different view!, posted by Jersey Mike on Apr 9, 2003

You think Brighton Beach is bad, try Miami. Yikes! Its everything you said plus a mustache.

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to What's the deal with "tasty dishes&..., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

In my experience many FSU women pride themselves in their ability to cook "tasty" dishes.  Russian / Ukrainian food is very good, especially in the South of Russia.  My one caveat is that in most of Russia I have to special order almost everything to cut down on the mayonaise and cmetan - even then I still get some.  I try my best to keep my cholesterol and fat content in my diet low - and dousing every dish in pure fat just does not cut it for me.
In the south Russia where "Georgian" cooking predominates they do not regularly douse everything with massive quantities of mayonaise.  Pork Shastlick eaten in many places in the greater Sochi region as well as Borsch in Kiev, as well as mushroom soup in St.Petersburg as well as omal in Siberia are some of the best and most intersting things my taste buds have experienced.  Borsch (beet based soup)is particularly interesting because each region has its own which supposedly is the best.  Some have more meat, varied spices, different vegetable etc.

[CS767]

... in response to What's the deal with "tasty dishes&..., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

Thanks Calvin,my sentiments also.

[John K]

... in response to What's the deal with "tasty dishes&..., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

When I visit my inlaws, they always put on a big feed.  Most of the food, however, could easily be found on the dinner table at a traditional Iowan's home.  Fried fish, sausages, salad, pan fried chicken, mashed potatos, etc.  While there are a few unusual dishes here and there (borscht and pickled tomatoes comes to mind), for the most part it just seems like good old fashioned Iowan cooking.

Not that I'm complaining, by any means.  I miss good old fashioned cooking, and visiting the inlaws is the one time I can enjoy a decent home cooked meal.  While Marina does some cooking, she's limited to a few dishes that she's learned from her grandmother.  Now that I'm currently living alone, dinner comes from the freezer and lunch comes from a can.  So much for living healthy...

[Zink]

... in response to What's the deal with "tasty dishes&..., posted by Cal on Apr 8, 2003

Whoo boy! You must be hanging with the wrong crowd. A lot of their cooking is plain and nurishing. But the families I hang out with could really cook some great stuff. Shaslik is a favourite of mine from my time in Southern Russia. Southern Russian dishes tend to be spicy and full of flavour. Now that the far east is my home away from home it's mama's home made Kalmar. That recipe's so top secret she won't let me have it. Not that there's a lot of fresh squid here on the prairies anyhow.

As for the cooking being listed in ads. Maybe it's the agency, maybe not. Some of the girls I know do love to cook, but I've also learned that what we read in the ads isn't always put there by the girls. A lot of ads say that all the girl wants is a cozy home, children and a loving husband. The ladies I know want that(maybe not kids right away) but they also want an interesting job with good pay, vacations around the world and an active and interesting lifestyle.