Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Thin blini with jam - a favourite of Ksenia Afanasyeva, especially when made by her grandma VTB has been doing some great PR for Russia recently, covering some traditions that will be familiar to us in the West as shared rituals.  'Maslennitsa' - Shrove Tuesday - is celebrated in Russia in much the same way as it is in the rest of Europe, by the eating of pancakes ('blini').  Then afterwards there is Lent, 40 days of fasting. Ksenia Afanasyeva says : 'Maslennitsa certainly isn't the 'right' holiday for gymnasts, but it is delicious! Don't think that we only look at the pancakes or pinch a small piece off the corner.  Since childhood we have celebrated the feast, and made pancakes with mother, but my grandma's are the best, simply delicious.  Since we lived in different houses, it meant we got to celebrate more than once.   I like thin pancakes with jam.  With caviar or salt fish is still good, but sweet is best. It is always nice; the chefs at Ro...