Olivier Salad as comfort food — exactly what I needed

Some dishes exist to comfort and Olivier Salad is absolutely in that category. The subtly sour from fermentation quality works on something almost primal — you feel the warmth of it immediately. sour cream smetana does work that no substitute can replicate.

the Russian tea tradition using a samovar is centuries old and central to social hospitality. There's something about the a traditional Russian stolovaya canteen context that reinforces the comfort effect. vodka alongside is the traditional way and it makes complete sense. I come back to this dish when I need something dependable and restorative.