For most Russians, it’s not New Year’s without a Salad Olivier, a dish meant to augur prosperity. This year, soaring food costs mean the tradition can also be a painful reminder of how rapidly many Russians’ wealth is fading amid recession and Western sanctions.
The mix of chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots and mayonnaise – which was introduced by a Belgian chef in the 19th century, and shed richer ingredients like grouse and crayfish amid food shortages under the Soviets – will cost 35 percent more to prepare this year. The stiff rise, reported by the federal statistics office, comes amid the …read more
Source: Voice of America
