The elegance and beauty of crimson foods as main courses adds to the romance of Valentine's Day meals. The abundance of naturally red foods simplifies the search for main courses that do not require food coloring or time-consuming methods of brightening up the dish. Whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, omnivore or seafood lover, there's something out there for everyone to create a memorable meal for Valentine's Day.
Russian cuisine has been shaped by geographical, religious and external cultural influences. From early peasant cooking, usually a soup from a thin broth of water and vegetables, to substantial meat stews, Russian food and drink reflects its history.
Although Westerners are familiar with several "staples" of Japanese cuisine, such as tempura and sushi, Japan has many more culinary offerings that are not often seen on American soil. Some dishes are considered a specialty of a specific region in Japan, while others are enjoyed nationwide--but all share common roots in traditional Japanese cooking. If you plan to cook ethnic Japanese food, no kitchen would be complete without these dishes.
Chile has a diverse and varied topography. The country, extending between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountain Range, features everything from deserts in the north, to beaches in the southern part of the country. As a result, Chilean Cuisine varies significantly throughout the various regions. With more than 2,600 miles of coastline, seafood plays a primary role in the main dishes of the country, and raw fish makes appearances in various stews and dishes.
Mention Russian fare, and "beef stroganoff" and "vodka" come immediately to mind. They are among the "stars" of the Russian dining table. Beef stroganoff is thought to have been named for Count Pavel Stroganoff, a celebrity gourmet who frequented the imperial court of his time. As for Russian vodka, consider that it was already being exported to Sweden in the 1500s, and that thereafter, distilleries became the exclusive privilege of the nobility. In some aspects, the actual origins of Russian food and drink are as uncertain as they are interesting. However, the fact that Russian recipes have been handed down…