Cooking Across the Ages Season 1 Episode 21 Imperial Russia's Piroshki and Coulibiac

In this episode of Cooking Across the Ages, host Chef Maria travels back in time to Imperial Russia to learn about their famous dishes Piroshki and Coulibiac. She delves into the history behind these traditional dishes and explores the ingredients and techniques used to make them.

Piroshki, a classic Russian pastry, is typically filled with a savory mixture of meat, vegetables, and spices. Chef Maria visits a local market in St. Petersburg to select fresh ingredients for her piroshki filling. She then shows viewers how to make the dough from scratch and demonstrates the traditional techniques for shaping and filling the pastries. Throughout the episode, Chef Maria also shares fascinating facts about Russian cuisine and its evolution over the centuries.

Next, Chef Maria turns her attention to Coulibiac, a fish-filled pastry that originated in Russia during the Middle Ages. She visits a local fish market to select the freshest salmon for her filling and then prepares the pastry dough. Viewers will learn how to assemble and bake the coulibiac, which is typically served as a centerpiece for special occasions.

Along the way, Chef Maria provides helpful tips and tricks for cooking in the Russian style, including how to properly season dishes and which cooking methods work best for different ingredients. She also highlights some of the unique characteristics of Russian cuisine, such as the use of sour cream and dill in many dishes.

Throughout the episode, viewers will also get a glimpse into the cultural and historical significance of these traditional Russian dishes. Chef Maria explains how piroshki and coulibiac have evolved over time, reflecting changes in Russian society and culture. She also shares stories about the origins of these dishes and their roles in Russian culinary traditions.

Overall, this episode of Cooking Across the Ages offers a fascinating look at Russian cuisine and its rich history. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting out, you're sure to learn something new and inspiring from Chef Maria's exploration of Piroshki and Coulibiac in Imperial Russia.