Mama makes beautiful Russian pie, straight out of a passage in Dostoyevsky

That's the cool thing about Natalya. She's a neat Mom. All one has to do is mention some dish, or even vaguely recall a dish, and she will make it!

Mankin, while writing her dissertation, which was an analysis of the "meal" or "the table" in Russian Literature, came across a passage in Dostoyevsky (forgot which novel), where he describes an old-fashioned (19th century) pie. Mankin was hungry at that moment, and was dreaming of this pie, which she had never had.

So, when she came home to us for the holidays, lo and behold (!) : there it was. A fresh one, crafted by Mama, with a perfect crust, or whatever is beyond perfect.

:-)