dishes of smoked fish, chewy black bread, cucumbers dill and sour cream, pickles, slow braises of meat and root and bulb veggies, dried fruits, wild mushrooms. earthy food for a cold climate, and bright extravagant food for a short summer like berries and cream in blini. don'y forget the favorite kasha and pasta with gravy ... toasted buckwheat groats with macaroni and drippings from whatever.