Well the first real snow happened Monday. And I am getting into the 'what should I pack?' mode. It took over a week (2)to get a reply from Aeorflot 'open line' the first time. Still have not heard back regarding a question I had about having to go through customs and security check when changing terminals in Moscow.
I am hoping things just get transfered to new flight when I change planes. Just not 100% positive.
On a lighter note, we are planning a family hike - if it isn't raining or too much snow - to kiselov's rock. Have a picnic etc... Plus I am instructed to bring a bathing suit to swim the hot springs - snow on the ground or not! Last day of travel will be a 6 hour train ride from sochi heading north.
Spend New Year's Eve in Krasnodar then head south, and spend last couple days at 'home'. Cool thing is that there will be a full moon! And I found out it is expected that I will prepare a meal for the family - of course expected by only one person. Mussels in a Meditteranien style sauce with a light pasta and crab puffs...??? Or make a filled cabbage dish (halupkes)in the Polsih American tradition. Yes, I will make a good wife someday... If anyone has a suggestion on what an american can cook to impress a russian mom, please feel free to let me know. I am leaning toward something simple and frugal.
The good news about your flight is that probably (if Aeroflot has kept to their recent plans) you won't need to change terminals, but will fly into and out of the new Terminal D. The less good news is that you will have to go to baggage claim in Moscow (according to a change in Russian laws/regulations that took effect in July) and then re-check your bags. But this will be a lot easier, if you don't need to drag your luggage several km between terminals.
I'm travelling to Zaporodyzie to spend New Years and Christmas with my woman... I hope you have as good a time a I plan on having!
You ask what to cook for a Russian mom... I was once married (but now divorced) from a Russian lady and I'm now courting a "vivacious" Ukrainian lady. In both instances I have cooked American "Chili" for them and both times the parents were very impressed with the taste. Now my Ukrainian fiance and her (15 yo) daughter "require" me to cook chili for them when I visit. They never experienced the southwest American cusine before and they love the taste. I simply take a "Carol Shelbey" chili kit with me each time I go.
This time because they have never experienced Mexican food I will also make "tacos" for them... it will be interesting to see how they react to them. Simple but tasty!
MC...exactly how are you going to make 'tacos' in ukraine?...... Got to hear what taco kit you are going to take.....make you can impress and make 'homemade' corn tortillas!!!
I know there is a mexican restaurant in odessa, wonder what other types there are in ukraine. I remember one in Kiev. You can never get the right taste unless you have the proper ingrediants or else it is just another Taco Bell!!!!!!
as for full moon, it has nothing to do with cooking --- but it does inspire many other things...
chile? novel idea... I use fresh peppers in my chile -- but I think it sounds like a good idea, I can mix up a batch of my spices and pack for the trip -- customs may wonder though ???
maybe I can have my squaw grind the maize and make tacos too... or my world famous barbequed ribs
Something spicy is a good idea as they don't have much in the way of spicy food but it may be too hot for them to eat. Since they like soup you could try making a soup. I once asked if the soup being prepared would have potatoes. I got a strange look and was told clearly that all soup has potatoes and that was a stupid question to ask. What about mushroom, chicken noddle, chicken sweet corn soup I was thinking.
I found a great tasting taco "kit" it is in all the major grocery stores. It is made by "Old ElPaso" (spelling?) it contains 6 hard (protected from breakage)and 6 soft corn tortillas, spice packet for the ground beef and medium taco sauce. When I'm there I will buy the ground beef, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, onions and lettuce. They will love it... I hope.
Along the same line I'm going to also be making Nachos this trip. I'll take a taco seasoning packet, small bag of yellow corn tortillas packed in a stiff plastic container, small (8 oz) jar of medium "salsa con queso" (contains cheese sauce and salsa together) (spelling). Everything else I'll buy locally.
If you guys happen by the Zaporozhye Intourist Hotel "Crowbar club" on New Year's night and see a silver hair gentleman on one knee with a ring... you will know who it is!
MC.....ever wonder that 'ground beef' in tacos is a Taco Bell concoction? For gringos in USA!!!
If you want to impress use chicken instead( I use a meat seasoning from a mexican food store it has oregano,paprika,salt,garlic,sugar)everything else sounds fine. I doubt you will find carne asada or carnitas in ukraine.
Secret is a good salsa...you can make it there since all ingrediants you can find in ukraine, though you will need a blender. Always better to have it fresh!!!!
there is not much you cannot find ingredients for in kiev. however, I will be in a 'smaller' town near the coast of the black sea about 25 km north of sochi.
Ralph...have you checked out wether forecast for next 10 days??? Mostly rain, so maybe you can plan more indoor activities!!!!! Why did you think you can have a picnic or hike in a russian winter??
Just ask Napoleon and Hitler about them russian winters!!!!!!!!
Have fun!!!!!!!!! Pack that Eskimo suit,thermals,scarf and beenie.................
beemer -- hike in the snow! done it many times. as long as it is not raining a family group will be making a short hike to picnic on a bluff overlooking the sea... my lady is looking forward to doing the appalachian trail with me... already have snow suit packed and yes -- I am very ready for f-ing cold... as for cooking??? going to wing it with whatever I find locally, have a happy nye in the states all.
M-C thanks -- got an email at work last night. update on the weather. very cold and snow up lago-naki. turning colder jan 2 in the 'lower' elevation -5 to -7 C with channce of snow, day of hike and picnic at black sea on the 5th, clear sunny and 0 C --thats 32 degrees F - t-shirt weather! but near the 7th -- cold and rain in sochi... hopefully lots of snow scape for the train ride north on day 8,
for you not so frequent American travellers I want to remind you what TSA stands for: TAKE STUFF AWAY!
oh! by the way MC, I do hace a stash of premaid taco shells I'm considering taking. I'd like to make refired beans. I'm sure I can find dried beans but it would take two days to do it right.
Enjoy yourself in Zaporozhye!
Thanks Ralph29! I definitely will enjoy myself in Zaporozhe! However, I will stay away from refried beans because of the gas problem... but I love to eat them!!! I'm a little paranoid about having gas around my girl so I even take "beano” pills with me to stop gas attacks. IO decided that this time I'm going to make tacos and nachos for them this trip and I'll follow Beamer18's tip and use chicken instead of ground beef... I hope it turns out OK!
taco tip # 2 -- if you can get hold of chicken thighs -- high heat and oil in black skillet -- sear them good, then slow cook -- after picking out the bones, skin and fat -- sautee with onions and your favorite spices, green chiles etc... oh! for taco --- cut onions so small that they basically disappear into the mix so you get the flavor withut the onion... they should melt in your mouth
if you don't have taco mix with all of the extra chemicals, experiment -- chile powder, cumin --- always add cumin ----, garlic, black pepper, fine ground cayenne pepper (just a touch) sparse on the salt, paprika, and at the end, a pinch of tumeric if it looks like red die # 12. but just a pinch....