Summer days have been really warm for us,with slightly cool evenings.Perfect weather to grill something and enjoy your dinner with family or friends.There is several recipe blogs I always follow, and one of them is tatyanaseverydayfood.com where I got this recipe for delicious and moist cedar plank salmon.It’s one of the best salmon recipes I tried and can’t pass with out sharing it .

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:34]

  Credit :http://www.tatyanaseverydayfood.com/Recipe_Page/Main_Entry/Cedar_Plank_Salmon/Recipe_Page.html

Crepes or “blinchiki”are very popular in Russian/Ukrainian cuisines.They are very versatile with variety of fillings and are perfect for breakfast,brunch or  served as a dessert at parties or any type of gatherings.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:33]

These potato pancakes are delicious! And with just few ingredients it’s really simple and easy to make.This recipe is perfect to use left over mashed potatoes or you can cook up fresh mashed potatoes.I like to make them with fresh chives and cheddar cheese, coated with breadcrumbs for crispiness,pan fried and served with a dollop of sour cream.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:32]

Pickling tomatoes and cucumbers is very well-known in Russia and Ukraine. It’s a great way of preserving tomatoes in a brine and makes it enjoyable during winter months.These pickled tomatoes go well with famous Ukrainian fried potatoes and Uzbek plov. My dearest friend Nellya that lives in Ukraine shared this recipe with me,so the recipe is straight from Ukraine with Ukrainian method of pickling. Sterilizing jars for this recipe is not needed, but you will need a blanket or a thick towel.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:31]

This is one of my all time favorite recipe for plank grilled wild salmon.The fillet is so tender,moist,seasoned and infused with smoky aroma.If you haven’t tried plank grilling salmon,I highly recommend to try it and experience the difference from plain grilled salmon.This recipe is very simple and the taste is amazing.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:30]

Lagman is a beef (lamb) vegetable noodle dish. Its one of the several Uzbeks signature dishes along with plov,manty, samsa and kebobs.There are different varieties of lagman ranging from using different kind of vegetables, meats and noodles.It’s one of my favorite childhood dishes that passed on to my family.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:29]

When you have some bananas that are getting a little bit too ripe,it’s just perfect to bake a batch of fresh healthy muffins.They are wholesome with whole wheat flour,chopped walnuts,mashed bananas and chia seeds.They are perfect for breakfast with little bit of softened butter and a cup of coffee of course .They store well for couple of days when wrapped in plastic wrap and also freezer friendly.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:28]

Simple, fresh, healthy, delicious and perfect for parties or potlucks.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:27]

Lovely clouds of meringue layered with smooth whipped cream and colorful sweet berries. This cake tastes light and heavenly.It’s always a hit at parties and perfect for spring and summer.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:26]

Want try something different then regular pancakes? These pancakes are fluffy,wholesome,and delicious.Adding cottage cheese just makes them delicate and somewhat hearty.You can top it off with any type of fruit you like; berries,bananas,kiwi,peaches or anything you like.You can choose from 2 homemade syrups or just use real maple syrup.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:25]

Combination of tomatoes and eggplants is very popular in russian and Italian cuisine.They go perfectly together.This salad is delicious and simple to make consisting of  few ingredients.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:23]

Eating food raw is the most healthiest diet with lots of benefits. Some of the benefits are;

1.The enzymes,vitamins and minerals are not destroyed by cooking.

2.Aids to weight loss and maintain healthy weight

3.Natural cure for disease including cancer.

4. Helps to Detoxify our bodies

5. Boost of energy

These are very delicious and you can eat as many as you want with out any guilt.A healthy alternative to regular creamy truffles.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:21]

Uzbek Manti are steamed dumplings with different variety of fillings like spiced beef,lamb,potato,cabbage,pumpkin and meat with potato.They are very popular in Central Asian cuisines and  came to be famous in Russian cuisine as well.

We made them together with mom very often when I was growing up,and now that I’m married  I still love to get together with mom and sisters and make them as we used to.Its a great way for us to catch up on our talks, have fun and then enjoy this yummy goodness together.My personal favorite filling is beef,or beef mixed with lamb or cabbage.You’ll just love my moms recipe for this dish.They are very juicy,authentic and just the way they should be.

You will need a [amazon asin=http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Chen-26-0054-6-Quart-Chinese/dp/B001D6WZ1C/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1372647757&sr=8-8&keywords=steamer+pot&text=steamer with sauce pot] to steam them.I also make my dough in bread maker .It’s faster and easy.But you can do it by hand as well.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:20]

This comforting pasta dish is very delicious,flavorful and satisfying.This dish can be vegetarian using mushrooms instead of meat or ground beef,chicken or turkey for meat lovers.If you’ll be using chicken broth,I highly recommend to make it from scratch.In my opinion it’s really more flavorful then store bought.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:19]

This is very delicious Korean noodle salad that is well known in Central Asia of Korean origin.There is many varieties of this salad,but I like the vegetarian style.You can add pan-fried strips of chicken,beef,or ground meat if desired.To get nice thin strips of vegetables I use this [amazon asin=http://www.amazon.com/Börner-Thin-Julienne-Vegetable-Slicer/dp/B000RH1TIS&text=thin julienne slicer.]

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:14]

Adapted from chekalova-recepty.ru

Portobello mushrooms can be called “vegetarian meat”. They are very juicy and meaty.They can be grilled sliced as a side to your steak or chicken or you can make a veggie burger if grilled as whole.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:13]

Cake Damskiy Kapriz is a multi layered Russian cake that is very delicious and moist.Three different layers consist of walnuts,dried apricots and poppy seeds.Each layer is sliced and soaked with moscato wine syrup and covered in smooth sour cream frosting or dulce de leche frosting.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:12]

This is a light and fresh breakfast,snack,or even dessert.Very simple to make  and nutritiously loaded with superfoods  .

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:11]