A Taste of Russia: International Women's Day

One of Russia's most important holidays is International Woman's Day on March 8th. It celebrates the social, political, and economic achievements of woman. The holiday originally began in 1857 with a protest march by textile factory workers in the United States and spread to Russia after the October Revolution in 1917. It marked the achievements of women-workers in the USSR. In 1965, International Woman's Day became a national holiday, where women could take a break from work and maybe from chores, if her husband and children were feeling generous enough. Woman would also receive flowers and small presents from her family. Today, International Woman's Day has lost its feminist flavor and resembles a combination of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. The day before, women bring home bagfuls of presents and flowers, returning late after the now popular corporate parties. The next morning, men crowd the streets, buying presents and flowers and make a big breakfast or lunch. Here is a recipe for a delicious and filling meal perfect for International Woman's Day:

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup beef bouillon or consomme
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup sour cream, mixed with the flour

Brown ground beef in large skillet; add onions, garlic and mushrooms.
Saute until onion is golden brown.
Put in Crock Pot with all remaining ingredients except sour cream and flour.
Stir thoroughly.
Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours (or on High 3 hours).
Stir in sour cream and flour 1 hour before serving.
Serve over hot buttered noodles or rice.

sources: http://www.russianlife.com/article.cfm?Number=1621,

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/print?id=10146