Russian Pelmeni Food

PELMENI (RUSSIAN-STYLE BEEF DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• For the filling: Combine the beef, salt, pepper and onion in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and slowly mix together.
• For the dough: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Add flour and salt to the cleaned bowl of a stand mixer and slowly mix. Add water and oil. Mix completely. Knead the dough into a ball, then roll into a log shape.
• Slice a thin piece of dough and roll into a thin 4-inch round. Place 1 tablespoon beef mixture in the center of the dough circle. Fold circle into a half-moon and seal the edges. Bend the dumplings while pinching center and bringing the edges together. (Shape will be similar to a tortellini.) Place on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes to help them hold their shape.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add dumplings; they will rise to the top once they are finished cooking.
• Plate and garnish with fresh green onion, dill, salt, pepper and sour cream.

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.

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.