<Tr> <Th> Main ingredients </Th> <Td> Beef, smetana (sour cream) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Cookbook: Beef Stroganoff Media: Beef Stroganoff </Td> </Tr> <P> Beef Stroganoff or Beef Stroganov (Russian: бефстроганов befstróganov) is a Russian dish of sautéed pieces of beef served in a sauce with smetana (sour cream). From its origins in mid-19th - century Russia, it has become popular around the world, with considerable variation from the original recipe . </P> <P> The name derived from a Russian diplomat and minister of the interior, Alexander Stroganov . Despite several versions, it remains unclear how the recipe was invented. . </P>

Where does the name beef stroganoff come from