Traditional Russian cuisine, an important part of Russian national culture, arouses a keen interest both in Russia itself and around the world. The compilers of the below-quoted have focused their attention on the most popular and interesting culinary examples from its vast repertory. Our goal is to introduce you to the Russian national cuisine, with all its authenticity and originality. Some of the recipes go back to hoary antiquity, while others evolved later, in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Centuries have passed… Growing contacts with Western countries led to numerous borrowings in Russian cooking. In the times of Peter the Great contemporary cookers became widespread in Russia and together with them saucepans, frying-pans, straining spoons and other indispensable kitchen utensils were introduced. At the beginning of the nineteenth century Russian cooks derived various sauces and dressings for which French cuisine was famous. These innovations became an important addition to traditional Russian spices - horse-radish and mustard. All of this undoubtedly enriches Russian cookery.