Maslenitsa is the Russian version of Mardi Gras and during the festivities, copious amounts of blini or pancakes made with a yeast batter are served and eaten with great gusto.

Russia’s best known and recognizable folk craft items are the nesting dolls known as matrioshka dolls. These dolls come in a wide array of colors, sizes and motifs and represent Russia herself.

Griby are mushrooms in Russian. They are a delicacy picked in the forest and often dried for use after the mushroom picking season. Griby impart a delicious flavor to soups, stock and many other dishes.

Read about Gavrila or Gabriel Derzhavin, a Russian poet, writer, scientist, and politician in the role of Senator, Minister and personal secretary to the Empress Catherine the Great.

There is a name in the annals of Russian history that still intrigues people, some ninety five years after his untimely and premeditated demise: Rasputin. This article delves into his early life.

Tea or chai was introduced to Russia by the Mongols. Tea is prepared either in a teapot or in the samovar, a brass tea urn. Tea is a delightful beverage, and to boot, it can help ward off a cold with the recipe I've included in this article.