The first course was Golden-crusted and gave off a pleasant aroma that teased with its smell. Dar's stomach made a sound, indicating that the dish was appetizing.
Dara reached for the dish, but Shir-Ali only shot him a look that said, " it's early, it's still early."
Dara reluctantly withdrew his hand and trudged inside the house to the dining room. Opening one of the cabinets, he took out a small glass jar. It contained white and slightly yellowish balls. The surface of their texture was rough.
He removed the glass lid from the jar and took out two balloons. They were hard to the touch. They smelled of herbs and milk.
Dara took a glass from another shelf, and on the oak table stood a small electric samovar on a copper tray. The legacy of the Communist era was inherited from the second great Northern Empire.
Holding the glass under the spout of the samovar, he poured water into it. And then I threw these balloons at him. Then he went back to the kitchen.
He reached over to the table and took a large tablespoon right under Shir- Ali's nose. He glanced at his cousin disapprovingly and said under his breath, "it's not good to eat snacks before the main meal"!
What a Dara, almost yelled " I want is, I'm getting the shakes, I need to eat, I cease to think!
Shir-Ali waved his hand, " you can eat healthy food in 30 minutes!"
Dara, startling, silently went out the door leading to the dining room.
Shir-Ali just shrugged his shoulders in disappointment and began to prepare for the second course.
While Dara began to stir with a spoon inside the glass, the clear boiling water in which gradually became cloudy and white.
It was a typical snack for tired warriors, only they threw these balls into a bronze cauldron and added dry meat, crackers, and steppe grasses when they had food. And when they were not just cooked these balls and ate.
The curd contained in them, the oils released from the curd, salt, steppe medicinal herbs, helped to satisfy the feeling of hunger. And also gave them strength.
These balls were prepared very simply. Milk was poured into a jug, put their part of the calf's yolk or just a little sour cream already available. Stirred. Then it was poured into a thick cloth bag. They were suspended over a Krynka or deep dish for 6-10 hours. The serum was draining into a container.
They opened the bag and there was a white, viscous mass. It was cottage cheese.
Was added finely chopped dry medicinal herbs, salt, pepper. Stirred. Then, they began to stick balls of different sizes. After that, they were put out to dry either near the stove or in the sun. By the fat content of milk and color, if fat then yellow, if not very, then white.
Dara, mixed everything and began to drink to satisfy hunger.
Meanwhile, Shir-Ali, smiling wryly at his cousin, began to prepare for the second course.
Taking a small pot of Turkish manufacturer "Kurkmas", it was considered the best kitchen utensils in Small-An, pouring cold spring water into it, Shir-Ali, put it on the fire.
He put the okra, which he had already washed in advance, in the water and salted it.
And the other with the steel pot Shir-Ali began to boil the young beans.
After a while, the okra and beans were boiled. Shir-Ali poured the decoction into two ceramic jugs, and the okra and bean pods were transferred to a large porcelain bowl.
With a rustic spoon, he mixed all the vegetables. Dressed with a good piece of butter. On the Board, he crushed four cloves of garlic with a knife and then finely sliced it and poured it into the bowl. Added a decoction of beans. From above cut into medallions cucumbers and half-rings tomatoes. Sprinkle with chopped dill.
Shir-Ali took the Cup to the dining room. And there, already half-asleep, sat his cousin in a chair, sated.
Shir-Ali smiled crookedly again. Well, at least Dara, covered the oak table with a tablecloth.
A bowl of warm okra fat and vegetables appeared on the table, the main thing in food is taste, and also a well-designed table with food.
A person eats with his eyes and mouth. Taste is as important as the design of the dish.
Two pitchers followed, and Shir-Ali filled the glasses with a decoction of beans, and okra in the second.
Then he brought the pan stand with the first course on it.
Taking bread out of the cupboard, into the dining room. Like Nan or Tandoori.
After shaking their sleepy cousin awake, they began to eat only the prepared dishes.