Hello, dear friends and strangers. I am here because I love two things almost beyond all else: toast and toasts. Meaning booze and bread. Food and drink.

And so, each Friday night I’ll share a pairing with you that will send you happily into your weekends, prepared for whatever fun (or no matter what not-fun) awaits you. Today, let’s start with a basic recipe. Ease into things, right?

This is not the last post of the day; tune in later for more. For now, I toast you all and wish you well as only a Russian can, with vodka and a piece of black rye bread. Simple. Beautiful. Effective. Na zdarovye!

Now, what are your troubles?