Kurnik (pirog) facts for kids
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| Type | Pirog | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of origin | Russia | ||||||
| Associated national cuisine | Russian cuisine | ||||||
| Main ingredients | Chicken, eggs, onions, kasha or rice | ||||||
| Variations | Chicken and mushroom pie | ||||||
| 536 kcal (2244 kJ) | |||||||
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Kurnik (pronounced Koor-nik) is a special and delicious Russian pie. It's often called the wedding pie or tsar pie because it's so fancy! This pie is shaped like a dome, which makes it unique. It's usually filled with tasty ingredients like chicken or turkey, eggs, onions, and rice.
Kurnik comes from Southern Russia, especially from the Cossacks, who are a group of people known for their history and traditions. It was originally a "wedding pie" in many parts of the country. Even today, people in Russia enjoy Kurnik for important celebrations.
What is Kurnik?
Kurnik is a type of pirog, which is a Russian word for a baked pie or pastry. What makes Kurnik stand out is its dome shape. Most other savory Russian pies are not shaped this way.
The main fillings for Kurnik are usually chicken or turkey, mixed with eggs, onions, and either kasha (a type of cooked grain) or rice. Sometimes, other ingredients are added to make it even more special.
A Pie for Special Occasions
In the past, Kurnik was so important that it was sometimes served to the tsar himself. The tsar was the emperor of Russia, like a king. This shows how highly valued Kurnik was!
Today, Kurnik is still a dish for big celebrations. You might find it at weddings, holidays, or other important family gatherings across Russia. It's a symbol of celebration and good times.
Wedding Traditions with Kurnik
Kurnik played a very special role in Russian weddings. Two Kurnik pies were made, one for the groom and one for the bride. Each pie had unique decorations that told a story.
The groom's Kurnik was decorated with figures of people. These figures were meant to show the strength and future of the new family. It was a wish for the couple to be strong together.
The bride's Kurnik was decorated with beautiful flowers. These flowers represented beauty and kindness. They were a wish for the bride to bring grace and warmth to her new home. These pies were not just food; they were part of the wedding ceremony and good wishes for the couple.
Images for kids
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Kurnik filled with slices of chicken, mushrooms, blini, rice, eggs
