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Familiar dishes from the CIS countries, made with ingredients that are easy to find in American stores.

  • Who it's for - New immigrants from the CIS countries
  • What's inside - 10 tried-and-true recipes and a shopping guide
  • Ingredients - Everything is available in U.S. stores
  • Cuisines - Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and others
  • Prepared by - Aly Hudson LLC

This collection is a friendly resource from Aly Hudson LLC for people who have recently moved to the U.S. The recipes are adapted to ingredients from American stores; feel free to adjust the amounts and spices to your taste. Before cooking, check expiration dates and any food allergies.

Where to buy groceries in the U.S.

Almost everything for these dishes can be bought at a regular supermarket. Look for the less common items in the international aisle (“International” or “European”) or at a Russian / European store.

Where to look

  • Big chains: Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons - check the international aisle.
  • Russian and European stores: NetCost Market and local delis; search for “European” or “Russian grocery” near you.
  • Budget-friendly: Aldi and Trader Joe's - vegetables, sour cream, baked goods.
  • Online: Amazon and Instacart - specialty items, delivered.

Swaps for familiar ingredients

  • Familiar ingredient - What to look for in the U.S.
  • Tvorog - Farmer cheese (Friendship, Lifeway). Substitute - well-drained cottage cheese or ricotta
  • Smetana - Sour cream
  • Kefir - Kefir (Lifeway) - sold almost everywhere
  • Grechka (buckwheat) - Buckwheat groats / kasha (Bob's Red Mill, Wolff's)
  • Sgushchyonka (condensed milk) - Sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand)
  • Tushonka (canned stewed meat) - Canned beef; or use fresh ground beef / beef
  • Selyodka (herring) - Pickled herring in jars (deli section)
  • Sunflower oil - Sunflower / vegetable / canola oil
  • Dill - Fresh dill (produce section)
  • Beets - Beets; ready cooked/canned beets save time
  • Sauerkraut - Sauerkraut
  • Pickles - Dill pickles
  • Mayonnaise - Mayonnaise (any kind works for Olivier)

Home-style recipes

10 familiar dishes - made with ingredients that are easy to find in the U.S. Choose a dish to open its recipe.