Abstain from pouring Coke, as suggested by the dietitian.
Not Your Average Okroshka:
($\textgreater$ Heads up! Avoid using cola or diet sodas as a dressing for okroshka!)
According to Anton Polyakov, a dietitian and endocrinologist, indulging in sweetened carbonated drinks like cola or diet Pepsi as a dressing for okroshka can harm your body. News of his warning has been circulating via "Arguments and Facts."
Polyakov points out that such unconventional recipes bear no resemblance to traditional okroshka and may negatively impact your health. He advises against consuming these sugary beverages on their own or in combination with other foods due to the quick absorption of carbs, causing sudden blood sugar spikes and additional strain on the body.
Even without sugar, sweetened carbonated drinks are not entirely safe—most sugar substitutes have their own side effects.
So, Howabout We Stick to the Classics?
Traditional okroshka is a delightful, refreshing Russian summer soup known for its crisp ingredients. Although kvass is the traditional dressing, yogurt (or kefir) mixed with water is a popular alternative to steer clear of cola and diet sodas. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create this delicious classic:
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- Boiled potatoes (4-5), diced
- Boiled eggs (4), chopped
- Cooked meat (beef, ham, or sausage, 200g), diced (optional, for a vegetarian version skip this)
- Fresh cucumbers (4-5), diced
- Radishes (6-8), thinly sliced
- Green onions or scallions (6-8), finely chopped
- Fresh dill (3-4 tablespoons), chopped
- Plain yogurt (or kefir) (1 cup)
- Cold water (2-3 cups)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon juice (½) and sour cream (1-2 tablespoons), optional
(For traditional kvass-based okroshka, replace yogurt and water with 1 liter of kvass.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Veggies and Meat
- Boil potatoes and eggs, then let them cool before dicing or chopping.
- Dice the meat or sausage.
- Dice cucumbers; thinly slice radishes.
- Finely chop green onions and dill.
- Combine Ingredients
- Mix together the diced potatoes, chopped eggs, meat (if using), cucumbers, radishes, green onions, and dill in a large bowl.
- Prepare the Dressing
- Whisk together yogurt (or kefir) and cold water until smooth in a separate bowl. Add a little lemon juice or sour cream for a tangier taste, if you prefer.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the Okroshka
- Pour the dressing over the chopped ingredients, and gently mix.
- Adjust seasoning and liquid as needed—the soup should be well-dressed but not overly watery.
- Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Serve cold, with extra dill or a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Enjoy your traditional okroshka—the perfect cool refreshment for a hot day!
Note
- Traditional Dressing: The most authentic version uses kvass, but yogurt or kefir with water is a popular alternative that keeps cola and soda at bay[1][2].
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat for a vegetarian version[2].
- Serving: Okroshka is best enjoyed on a hot day for its cooling effect.
Happy cooking!
- Maintaining a healthy-diets regimen includes avoiding unconventional ingredients like cola or diet sodas as dressings for traditional dishes, like okroshka, as advised by dietitian Anton Polyakov.
- For a nutritious and delicious okroshka, one could opt for a healthy-diet-friendly traditional dressing made with yogurt or kefir, following a step-by-step recipe that incorporates fresh vegetables, unlike unhealthy alternatives with sweetened carbonated drinks.
