The average Russian family in Russia doesn't really eat any of what you mentioned, JB. Neither as everyday meals nor at parties. And vareniki are considered to be Ukranian by many of us. It's vegetables, grilled fish, meatballs, beans, peas, pasta, pizza, rice, muesli, milk, that type of thing. The only soups many people eat are chicken, onion and spinach soups. At least in the cultural capital. I dunno anything about the yahoos in the country - the brutes could eat hay for ought I care