•It covers just under 2.2 million square miles which makes it the largest sub national governing body. It’s population is under one million…which explains the scarcity of recipes and variety. You basically take the entire population of Montana and spread it across Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana…plus a little more.
•The ethnicity is mainly a derivative of Mongol and Russian.
•Due to it’s high real estate commodity and heavy tourist traffic, this area was highly favored by the Czarists and Communists governments for exile.
•It is also the backdrop for Louis Lamoure’s book, “Last of the Breed.”
The menu for the evening had all courses. Cheryl, Becky’s mom, made Pikantny Syr (a spicy garlic cheese) that was placed on some tomatoes which made a great appetizer.
She also put it on some bread to accompany the meal.
Cheryl also made Siberian Sashlik (essentially a kabob of steak and veggies).
I didn’t see the recipe for the rice she brought, but I would imagine rice can be found there.
Becky, Caleb, Haley and I made Pelmeni (like a mini empanada that tastes more like lefse).
Matt Wendy and Porter made Sbiten (a spicy cinnamon and honey drink that, to me, seemed like it would be their version of apple cider). This was my favorite part.
They also made homemade lemonade…found at some of the exotic exile resorts.
Kevin and Sara made some pretty good cookies. The recipe title was Siberian Cookies. They were more of a flat cookie that was slightly chewy and tasted of cinnamon…quite good.
All in all, it was a fun dinner and everyone did a great job. These are the things that memories are made of. Upon our return to Denver, Caleb threw the dart and landed on…Mexico (the Sonora province to be exact).
