A Meal in the Life at HCMCF
Huron County Medical Care Facility launched the new “Meal in the Life” program with great success. As an introduction, we started with a “Taste of Russia” event with the help of our Activity Department. We served a Reuben style potato pancake topped with homemade Russian dressing. As the residents enjoyed their treat we shared interesting facts about the dining culture of Russia.
Did you know that when you are invited to a Russian’s house for a meal it is customary to bring a gift for the hostess, but don’t bring an even number of flowers. That is considered bad luck unless the flowers are for a funeral!
There will be many toasts given during your meal, with vodka and it is impolite to avoid a toast. But there is a way to say you have had too much vodka. Just say “Choot-Choot”, which is slang for, “just a little” and it means that you want a smaller serving of vodka so you can keep up with all the toasts.
We followed the tasting event with our Russian luncheon that was served to all of our residents. Authentic Borscht was served as our appetizer. We offered two entrées, Beef Stroganoff or Chicken Kiev with braised red cabbage as a side dish. We followed the meal with warm Homemade Gingerbread. During the meal we shared our recipe for Borscht which was included into the new “A Meal in the Life” recipe books. The meal was a great success and many residents and staff tried and enjoyed the Borscht.
Our final event was a Russian Tea Party featuring Russian tea cakes and cucumber sandwiches. Tea is the main drink for many Russians, it can be said that it is even more popular than vodka!
Overall the word many residents have used to describe our new dining program is “Cute!” and they are looking forward to next month.
Enjoy our recipe for Russian Tea Cakes below: (click READ MORE)
MOM’S RUSSIAN TEACAKES (SOURCE: CRAZYFORCRUST.COM)
YIELD: 48 COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:
· 1 cup butter, softened
· 1/2 cup powdered sugar
· 1 teaspoon vanilla
· 2 1/4 cups flour
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
· Powdered sugar for rolling
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preaheat oven to 375°. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together. Stir in the nuts. If dough is too soft, chill it until you can work it easily with your hands.
3. Scoop 1 tablespoon balls of dough and place on prepared cookie sheet.
4. Bake cookies for 7-8 minutes until bottoms are just slightly brown. Remove from oven and cool for just a minute, until you can handle them. Fill a small bowl with powdered sugar and roll each cookie in the sugar until coated.
5. Place on a rack to cool. (Once cookies are cooled, you may want to re-roll them in more powdered sugar.)
NOTES:
· Use butter for best results. Do not substitute margarine or butter spreads.
· Be careful not to over measure the flour. Scoop into the cup with a spoon, do not pack it!
Andra Shier| Assistant Director of Dining Services | Huron County Medical Care Facility