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    Home » Blog » Party Themes

    Russian Dinner Party Ideas

    Published: Sep 29, 2021 · Modified: Sep 29, 2021 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These Russian recipes are inspired by the book "Romanov" by Nadine Brandes. Together, they'd make a perfect dinner party menu for book club to explore Russian history.

    A collage of foods inspired by the book Romanov by Nadine Brandes

    One of my favorite parts of participating in a book club is getting to explore different times and places together with friends.

    Historical fiction novels are always a great choice when you really want to dig into a culture different than your own.

    Our book club chose Romanov by Nadine Brandes, the story of Anastasia and her family as told through a magical realism YA novel.

    Several recipes were mentioned throughout the story. If I could host the members of the Peanut Blossom Book Club in person at my home, this is the Russian dinner party menu I would plan for them!

    Russian Dinner Party Recipes

    Want to explore Russian history and culture with your book club friends? Plan to read Romanov by Nadine Brandes and then have each guest bring one of these Russian dishes mentioned within the story for your book club party.

    Photo Credit: momsdish.com

    Russian Cream Cheese Vatrushka Buns

    "You can't overlook a well-made pastry. May you dream of nongiddy girls with arms full of vatrushka." - Zash

    These traditional Russian pastries have cream cheese centers. This is a simple version that lets the pastry shine. Serve it as a sweet treat for a simple book club meeting or save it for dessert if you want to have the full meal.

    Photo Credit: cookingtoentertain.com

    Vatrushka With Fresh Fruit

    This lovely variation on the vatrushka pastry adds fresh fruit for flavor and would make a perfect partner to a tray of treats with your coffee or drinks.

    Photo Credit: www.rbth.com

    Pastila: an apple treat that delighted the tsars

    "Hope sat in my mouth like a pastila confectionery I couldn't bring myself to swallow." - Nastya

    I had to pause my reading to look up this unfamiliar culinary term. Made almost solely from apples and sugar, this sounds utterly delicious.

    Photo Credit: www.olgainthekitchen.com

    Chocolate Spartak Cake

    "He stepped into the room and held before him a tiny decorated chocolate cake."

    While there's nothing tiny about this chocolate masterpiece, this Russian layered chocolate cake would make a show stopping dessert for the dinner party.

    Photo Credit: afeastfortheeyes.net

    Grilled Shashlik Beef Kebabs

    "I've never made my own shashlik over a fire." My mouth watered at the idea of the thick mutton soaked in spices and then grilled on a stripped branch or skewer." - Nastya

    While you'll be lucky enough to not have to cook over a fire and have access to proteins other than mutton, these beef kebabs would still make a fun main dish for the dinner party.

    Photo Credit: www.anediblemosaic.com

    Borscht: Russian Beet Soup

    "The wooden spoon in her hand was stained crimson. The supper smell must be coming from borscht -- a cabbage, beet, and beef soup that sent my stomach practically leaping from my body." - Nastya

    Though I've never tried it myself, who could resist sampling traditional Russian borscht after a description like that??

    Photo Credit: vikalinka.com

    Restorative Beef and Cabbage Soup

    "I snuck into our small kitchen to see what items we had in stock. I found nothing but a small bag of lentils and some broth." - Nastya

    This simple brothy vegetable soup would make a nice starter for the dinner party or serve it with the black bread for an easy main dinner.

    Photo Credit: girlandthekitchen.com

    Classic Russian Salad

    "We munched on fresh carrots, tomatoes, and bowls of berries in milk. I could have cried over the simple luxury of it." - Nastya

    This Russian tomato salad features cucumber and a simple dill and sour cream dressing. Serve it as a side dish for dinner or as a simple appetizer with cocktails.

    Photo Credit: www.olgasflavorfactory.com

    Russian Carrot Salad

    While the characters ate raw carrots from the garden, this simple Russian carrot salad is a perfect way to incorporate the same scene for your dinner.

    Photo Credit: www.kingarthurbaking.com

    Russian Black Bread

    "I was the first to turn back to my dense black bread. I whispered, "I'm sorry, Papa." - Nastya

    During exile, the Romanovs are lucky to get black bread for their meals but this homemade version baked fresh on the day of your party would be quite a treat.

    Photo Credit: www.tasteofhome.com

    White Russian

    "Then the pop of a cork being yanked out of a cheap bottle of vodka."

    The Bolshevik commander Avdeev's office is filled to the brim with empty bottles. A well-meaning book club would likely prefer these delicious white russian cocktails instead.

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

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