There are very few things in life that bring families together similar to the way the Olympics do.  This year families are cuddling up inside their warm houses while watching athletes slide down the cold snow in Russia.  Although most people may only think of Russia as a location for the Olympics, it is actually considered “home” for some Aspen High School students.  Juniors Sonya Padden and Vadim Satana will both be happily be celebrating their Russian heritage during AHS’s unity week, while watching the Olympics.

Were you born in Russia?

“No, I was born in Aspen Colorado.  However, I went to preschool and the first years of elementary school back in Russia,” Padden said.

“Yes I was born in a Russian city called Volgodonski.  It’s not a very big city with only 125,000 people living there,” Satana said

What are some Russian Holidays you celebrate?

“My family and I celebrate one of the most joyous holidays, Russian Christmas, on January 7th,” Padden said.

“We celebrate two holidays that are unique from America. One on March 8th(International Women’s Day) and the other on February 23rd(Defender of the Fatherland Day),” Satana said.  “The one on March 8th is where every man gives a woman something, and the one on February 23rd is where men(especially veterans) get presents.”

How often do you visit your homeland?  What is your earliest memory of visiting or living in your homeland? 

“I have gone back almost every summer since I was in third grade,” Padden said.

“The last time I went to Russia was about 2½ years ago because it is so expensive to get there,” Satana said.

Do you enjoy being in Russia?

“Definitely, I like Russia and America about the same,” Padden said.  “I guess I like whatever country I am currently in more.”

“I really don’t like Russia that much,” Satana said.  “Most of the rumors about Russians drinking a lot are true and because everyone drinks the holidays aren’t much fun.”

What is a traditional Russian food?

“The blini,” Padden Said

Ingredients:

4 1/4 cups milk

5 eggs

1/3 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon citric acid powder

4 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup boiling water

2/3 cup butter, divided

Directions:

Beat together the milk and the eggs. Stir in the salt and the sugar and mix well. Add the baking soda and citric acid.

Blend in the flour. Add the vegetable oil and pour in the boiling water, stirring constantly. The batter should be very thin, almost watery. Set the bowl aside and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Melt a tablespoon of butter in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Pick the pan up off the heat. Pour in a ladleful of batter while you rotate your wrist, tilting the pan so the batter makes a circle and coats the bottom. The blini should be very thin.

Return the pan to the heat. Cook the blini for 90 seconds. Carefully lift up an edge of the blini to see if it’s fully cooked: the edges will be golden and it should have brown spots on the surface. Flip the blini over and cook the other side for 1 minute.

Transfer the blini to a plate lined with a clean kitchen towel. Continue cooking the blini, adding an additional tablespoon of butter to the pan after each four blinis. Stack them on top of each other and cover with the kitchen towel to keep warm.

Spread your favorite filling in the center of the blini, and fold three times to make a triangle shape. You can also fold up all 4 sides, like a small burrito.