Friday words: Podstakannik and bubliki

[med_cat]

Thanks to theidolhands for the idea ;)
~~

Podstakannik: a tea glass holder, the kind you can see in the photo below, so one could drink hot tea without burning one's hand holding the glass.

Pod-, "under", stakan, "glass". Plural: podstakanniki.

Bubliki are the round things you see in the photo; they are somewhat like pretzels but round a bit softer, and slightly sweet instead of salty. They can be dusted with poppy-seeds, as in the picture, or plain. They are traditionally served with tea, and may be broken in half and dipped in the tea.

Singular: bublik.

Comments

[calzephyr77.livejournal.com]

Awesome! These look like something my dad used to make, koulouri. I never acquired the taste for them due to all the sesame seed. I will look for these the next time I go to the Russian store.

[med_cat]

Having looked up koulouri, they do indeed look similar, as you say, except for the sesame seed. If I'm ever in a Greek store, or in Greece, I'll have to look for these (I like sesame seeds ;))

Are koulouri relatively soft, though, like a bagel, or crunchy, like a pretzel?

[calzephyr77.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I would have to say the consistency depends upon the baker :) When Dad made them, they were chewier than a bagel. I think people dip them in tea or water, but it's been ages, so I'm not sure :) I hope you have an import store near you. We check all of them out :D

[med_cat]

Thanks for the explanation :) There are recipes on the 'net, too, might try my hand at it one day.