soviet poster
In the
middle of the 20th century in Russia Stalin introduced a single rule
for all types of state institutions : the dinner of all people should consists
of “ first course, second course and a drink”. Popularly known as “first,
second and a compote”.
As a rule,
the first course is soup, the second course can be meat with a garnish ( it can be potatoes, pasta or buckwheat) and at the end you can eat or drink
something sweet. “Compote” is a traditional cold drink from boiled dried
fruits. When Russians are abroad it is
unusual for them to eat a salad before a soup or a meat-dish. We have it afterwards.
So this
rule of “first, second and compote” has become a national tradition. That’s why
Russian people can’t imagine their lives without soup.
All over
the country people cook more or less the same kinds of “first course”. This can vary depending on the
region.
