Belarusian Meals. Form 8.

The first meal of the day in the morning is breakfast. Some Belarusian people eat sandwiches with butter, cheese and sausage, or boiled eggs. Others prefer a bowl of porridge, such as oatmeal or buckwheat (гречка), with milk. Syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes) and bliny (pancakes) with sour cream or jam are also very popular. The most common drinks at this time of day are black or green tea, coffee, and kompot (a sweet drink made of boiled fruit).

Lunch is the main and biggest meal of the day. It is usually eaten in the middle of the day, between 1.00 and 3.00. A traditional Belarusian lunch consists of three courses. First, people have a hot soup, for example, borscht , cabbage soup (shchi), or cold sorrel soup in summer. The second course is meat or fish with a side dish, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or macaroni. A fresh salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and cabbage is common too. For the third course, people usually drink juice, tea, or water with dessert.

Supper is the meal eaten in the evening (usually between 7.00 and 8.30). Dinner is another word for supper. It is a cooked meal, and potato dishes are the most popular choice for it. Many families eat draniki (potato pancakes) served with sour cream, or kalduny (potato dumplings with meat). Another popular evening dish is baked chicken or pork with vegetables. It is common to have a cup of tea with herbal mixtures or a glass of kefir before going to bed.