Best Russian Mushroom Pelmeni Recipes

PELMENI

Steps:

• In a medium pot, bring the water and butter to a boil.
• Add the salt and two cups of flour all at once. Mix vigorously with a wooden spoon.
• Take off the heat, cool slightly and add the eggs.
• Add the remaining four cups of flour. Mix until combined.
• Cover, and set aside, letting the dough rest for about 20 minutes.
• Melt butter in a skillet. Add the onions and cook for about 5-7 min, until tender and starting to turn slightly golden. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked onions and garlic, salt, pepper, herbs and spices and water. Mix to combine.
• Roll out the dough into a thin sheet. (While assembling the dumplings, keep the remaining dough covered, so it stays soft and pliable, protecting it from drying out.)
• Cut out 3 inch circles, using a biscuit cutter or a cup. Place 1 heaping Tablespoon of meat filling in the center. Fold the dough over in half, sealing the edges together.
• When sealing the edges together, make sure to squeeze out all the air, so the pelmeni don't burst open while cooking.
• Take hold of the corners and pinch them together, creating the classic pelmeni shape.
• Add 1 bay leaf, and some peppercorns to a pot of water. Season with salt and bring to a boil.
• Add the pelmeni, (no need to thaw if using frozen Pelmeni). Cook just until the pelmeni float to the top, for about 5 min. Make sure not to overcook them.
• Drain the water or use some of it and serve it with the pelmeni as a broth.
• Serve with sour cream. Other garnish options are melted butter, sour cream, vinegar, fresh herbs, sauteed onions and bacon.

RUSSIAN PELMENI

Steps:

• Combine egg, vegetable oil, and salt in a measuring cup; add enough water to fill to 1 cup. Pour into a bowl, add 3 cups flour, and knead into a smooth, elastic dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and rest for 30 minutes.
• Dust a baking sheet lightly with 1 tablespoon flour.
• Combine ground beef, onion, water, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix filling thoroughly by hand or using a fork.
• Roll out a portion of the dough very thinly on a lightly floured surface and cut out 2 1/2-inch rounds with a cookie cutter or a wine glass. Keep the rest of the dough covered with a towel to avoid drying out. Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of filling on one side of the dough circle. Fold dough over and seal the edges using fingers, forming a crescent. Join the ends and pinch them together. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Freeze pelmeni for 30 minutes to prevent them from sticking together.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a simmer and drop small batches of frozen pelmeni into simmering water. Cook and stir until the meat is cooked and pelmeni float to the top, about 5 minutes. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer to serving plates using a slotted spoon.

VARENIKI (RUSSIAN PIEROGI) WITH POTATOES AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain potatoes and mash; season with salt and pepper.
• Combine flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl while potatoes are cooking. Stir sour cream and baking soda together in a second bowl. Add water to flour mixture and blend in, followed by sour cream mixture. Knead into a smooth dough, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook onions until browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add to mashed potatoes.
• Divide dough into 4 portions and roll each portion into a 1 1/2-inch thick rope. Cut ropes into small 1/2-inch pieces. Press each dough piece into a small flat circle and place 1 teaspoon of potato filling in the center. Fold dough over into a half-moon shape and seal edges.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Add the vareniki in batches and cook until they float to the surface, about 3 minutes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a colander to drain.

RUSSIAN MUSHROOM PELMENI

Steps:

• Wash the mushrooms, cut them into small cubes.
• Peel the onion, cut it finely.
• Heat the dry skillet over high heat, add the mushrooms, cover with a lid. Once the mushroom moisture is released, take off the lid and cook until the water evaporates.
• Then add 1 tablespoon oil, onion and saute over low heat for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool.
• Meanwhile make the dough. In a bowl mix together the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup of just boiled water and 4 tbsp oil. Knead well until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Take about 1/4 of the dough, roll it out into a thin (but not transparent) sheet. Using a small glass, cut into 2.5-inch (6 cm) circles. Take the scraps, add more dough and repeat the procedure until all the dough is cutted into nice circles.
• Put some filling in the center of each round.
• Fold over and using your fingers press tighly the edges together to create a half-moon shape.
• Next, bring the two ends together and pinch them. Make sure there is no holes in your pelmeni. Repeat for all the dough, you will get about 40 pelmeni at the end.
• Bring a pot of water to boil, salt to taste (1 tsp), add 2 bay leaves. Put the pelmeni into boiling water, and cook, stiring carefully until they all float to the top.
• After boiling, cook for 5-6 minutes over low heat. Serve with olive oil, sprinkle with black pepper and chopped parsley or dill.