Mikoyan cutlet facts for kids
The Mikoyan cutlet (Russian: микояновская котлета) was a popular type of pre-made meat patty in the Soviet Union. It was named after a Soviet politician, Anastas Mikoyan. People often compared it to an American hamburger beef patty. In the 1960s, it was known as a very cheap and popular meat dish that many people could afford.
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How the Mikoyan Cutlet Was Invented
In 1936, Anastas Mikoyan was a very important government official in the Soviet Union. He was in charge of the country's food industry. Mikoyan traveled to the United States to learn about their economy and how they made food. He wanted to bring new ideas back to the Soviet Union.
Mikoyan's Trip to America
During his visit, Mikoyan saw how Macy's department store in New York mass-produced hamburger patties. He was very impressed by this efficient way of making food. He decided to order 22 machines that could make hamburgers, hoping to do the same in the Soviet Union.
From Hamburgers to Cutlets
However, because of World War II, the plan to make hamburgers in the Soviet Union didn't work out. Instead, the "Mikoyan cutlets" were created. These cutlets were usually made from pork or beef. They were different from the original American hamburgers.
Different Kinds of Cutlets
Some of these cutlets were given names like "Kiev cutlets" or "Pozharsky cutlets." These names came from famous Russian restaurant dishes. But the Mikoyan cutlets usually had very different ingredients from the original fancy dishes.
Food for Everyone
Mikoyan cutlets were made in large numbers for ordinary people. They were very affordable, costing only a few kopecks each. While these simple cutlets were for everyone, Mikoyan's factories also made special, high-quality foods like sausages and hams for the Soviet government leaders.
