Russian-style dumplings, known as Pelmeni, are a beloved traditional dish consisting of small dumplings filled with ground meat, typically served with sour cream, butter, or vinegar. Here’s how to make them from scratch:
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 200 ml (¾ cup) water
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 300 g ground pork
- 300 g ground beef (or a mix of pork and beef)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- 2 tablespoons water or broth (to keep the filling juicy)
To Serve:
- Sour cream
- Butter
- Fresh dill (optional)
- Vinegar (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg and mix with water.
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the flour, stirring with a spoon or your hands until it forms a dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add more flour, a little at a time.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground pork, beef, finely chopped onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin (if using).
- Add the water or broth to the meat mixture and stir to combine. This will help make the filling more moist and juicy.
3. Roll Out the Dough:
- Once the dough has rested, divide it into 4 portions to make it easier to work with.
- Roll out each portion on a lightly floured surface until the dough is very thin (about 2 mm thick).
- Use a round cutter or a glass (about 6-8 cm in diameter) to cut out small circles from the dough.
4. Assemble the Pelmeni:
- Place about 1 teaspoon of the meat filling in the center of each dough circle.
- Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, pressing the edges together tightly to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork or pinch them with your fingers.
- If desired, bring the two corners of the dumpling together and pinch to form a round shape (this is more traditional for pelmeni).
5. Cook the Pelmeni:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Drop the pelmeni into the boiling water in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot.
- Stir gently to prevent them from sticking to the bottom.
- Cook the pelmeni for about 5-7 minutes, or until they float to the surface and the dough is tender.
6. Serve:
- Drain the pelmeni and serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and melted butter. Some people also like to drizzle a little vinegar over the top for a tangy flavor.
- Garnish with fresh dill, if desired.
Optional Variations:
- Vegetarian Version: Use mashed potatoes, mushrooms, or a cheese filling instead of meat.
- Siberian Style: Freeze the pelmeni before cooking. Pelmeni are often made in large batches and frozen for future use. Simply boil them from frozen when you're ready to eat.
These Russian-style dumplings are delicious and comforting, perfect for a cozy meal!
