Okroshka

Description

Okroshka is a classic Russian cold soup consisting of chopped vegetables, cooked meats, and potatoes in a base of kvass (a fermented wheat drink) or kefir . Depending on the regional varieties, the meat used in okroshka can range from tongue or sausages to smoked fish, ham, and doktorskaya kolbasa (bologna-style sausage). Almost all versions of the soup contain cucumbers, scallions, dill, radishes, and hard-boiled eggs, while some versions use fruits such as cherries and apples. It is said that the ratio of vegetables and meat should always be 1:1. The name of the soup is derived from the Russian verb kroshit , meaning to crumble or chop . Okroshka is extremely popular during the summer in Russia, because it is always served cold as a refreshment, along with being a highly versatile dish that is easy to prepare.