Embark on a culinary journey to discover the delightful world of Russian Vareniki, also known as Perogies. These traditional dumplings are a symphony of flavors, filled with a variety of savory and sweet ingredients, and enveloped in a delicate, homemade dough. In this article, we present you with a collection of Vareniki recipes that showcase the versatility and richness of this beloved dish. From the classic combination of ricotta cheese and onions to the indulgence of potato and cheese, and the sweet delight of cherry and tvorog, these recipes cater to every palate and occasion. Explore the secrets of crafting the perfect dough, mastering the art of filling and shaping, and unlocking the secrets of cooking techniques that result in tender, flavorful Vareniki that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create mouthwatering Vareniki that will impress your family and friends.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
VARENIKI
Vareniki (варе́ники) are dumplings similar to Polish pierogi, that are traditional in Ukraine and Russia. There are several kinds of fillings, with mashed potatoes being the most classic.
Provided by Sarah-Eden Dadoun
Categories Side Dish
Time 2h30m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry the onions over medium heat, stirring regularly until they are golden brown, then drain them of their oil and place on plate lined with paper towel.
- Peel and boil the potatoes in a large amount of lightly salted water.
- Drain the potatoes using a large skimmer and keep the boiling water for cooking.
- Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and, using a potato masher, mash the potatoes, gradually adding the boiling milk. Add the butter and, optionally, a little boiling water from the potatoes and mix until a slightly firm consistency is obtained.
- Add the fried onions and mix. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a small skillet, melt the butter.
- Fry the onion over medium heat for 1 minute then add the sugar.
- Cook over low to medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl and set aside in a warm place for serving.
- Combine sifted flour, salt, eggs, milk and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Knead a homogeneous dough. Cover and let stand 30 minutes, away from heat.
- Divide the dough into 2 or 3 pieces and roll out each piece of dough to a thickness of ⅛ inch (3 mm).
- Using a cookie cutter, cut circles about 3 inches (7 cm) in diameter.
- Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle of dough, fold them in half to form a semi-circle and pinch the edges with wet hands.
- Heat a large amount of boiling salted water in a casserole dish.
- Immerse the vareniki in simmering water and cook them for 3 minutes.
- Drain.
- Place the boiled vareniki in a bowl or deep dish.
- Sprinkle with fried onions, salt lightly, pepper, and mix gently.
- Finally sprinkle with chopped spring onion.
BASIC RUSSIAN VARENIKI OR PELMENI DOUGH (RUSSIAN PIEROGI)
A soft, and tender pelmeni dough that is easy to roll and can be used for sweet and savory recipes.
Provided by Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Categories Medium
Time 2h10m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Whisk together egg and sour cream until well combined.
- Whisk in 1 1/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup water.
- Using a spatula, mix in four, 1 cup at a time.
- Place the dough onto a floured surface. Using a food scarper, knead the dough by turning and folding it with the food scraper. Dust the dough with flour as you need it until it is soft and doesn't stick to your hands (you'll need around 1 cup more flour). Knead for 6 to 8 minutes. Don't add too much flour or the dough will become hard to work with.
- Place the dough under a bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 1 hour.
- Cut the dough into 4 to 6 pieces. Work with one piece at a time and keep the rest covered with plastic wrap.
- Form your chunk of dough into a log and cut off small pieces, one at a time. Pieces should be a little larger than a gumball. Dust your rolling pin and cutting board with flour and roll out a piece of dough until it is 1/8" thick and 3" diameter.
- Fill these circles with the desired filling (potatoes, cherries, blueberries or meat). Fold the dough over the filling to form a crescent and seal the edges tightly with your fingers. If making pelmeni (meat filling), pinch the two edges together to form a "diaper" shape. Place the finished pierogis on a cutting board dusted with flour until ready to boil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. As you finish the first batch of pierogies, place them in boiling water. After they float to the top, cook about 2 to 3 minutes more, then remove them with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Drizzle the pierogies with melted butter.
- Repeat steps 7 through 9 with the rest of the dough.
VARENIKI (RUSSIAN PIEROGI) WITH POTATOES AND MUSHROOMS
This is one of the most favorite dishes of our family: vareniki (Russian pierogi or dumplings) filled with potatoes and fried mushrooms. Serve with sour cream mixed with fresh herbs.
Provided by nt_bella
Categories Main Dish Recipes Dumpling Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 45
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 56.1 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Cholesterol 3.3 mg, Fat 1.4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 78.6 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
RUSSIAN VORENIKI (VARENIKI, PEROGIES) RICOTTA CHEESE AND ONIONS
A traditional Russian recipe that has been in our family for over 100 years. I have made some modifications to tenderize the dough and also make them tastier.
Provided by William Uncle Bill
Categories Cheese
Time 50m
Yield 36 Voreniki, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- DOUGH PREPARATION--------------.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, add eggs, milk, whipping cream and salt and whisk well to blend.
- Add baking powder and stir in gently.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and egg mixture and mix well to incorporate.
- Add additional flour if necessary so that dough does not stick to the bowl or feel sticky.
- Form dough into a ball and knead about 10 times.
- Divide dough in half, form into balls, wrap each ball in plastic wrap and set aside.
- FILLING--------------.
- Squeeze out as much liquid from Ricotta cheese and discard.
- In a large mixing bowl, add Ricotta cheese and beaten eggs and mix well to blend.
- Add chopped green onions, salt and black pepper and mix to incorporate.
- Break off pieces of dough and form into balls about the size of a golf ball.
- On a floured surface, roll out each ball to a round about 1/16 inch thickness, turning at least once during rolling.
- Place dough into a 5 inch"MINI FORM" and make sure that the dough projects over the edges.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into the centre, lift one edge of the"MINI FORM" and lightly press push the filling down.
- Now fold the"MINI FORM" completely over and squeeze tightly.
- Remove any excess dough by running your finger around the folded edge and set dough aside to be use again.
- Continue to form the Voreniki until all dough and filling are used up.
- If you have any filling left over, cover and refrigerate to be used within 2 days.
- TO COOK--------------.
- Fill a pasta cooker or a large cooking pot 3/4 full with water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
- While the water is boiling, drop 6 formed Voreniki, stir once carefully with a slotted spoon so that the Voreniki do not stick together.
- Cook for 3 minutes total as they will rise to the surface after cooking for about 1 1/2 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl.
- If desired, sprinkle some melted butter over the Voreniki.
- DO NOT add melted butter if you are going to freeze the Voreniki.
- Serve immediately with additional melted butter, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt and a sprinkling of chopped green onions or chives.
- To reheat, you can drop them again into boiling water for about 1 1/2 minutes.
- You can also fry the Voreniki in a small amount of butter, cover and fry on medium-high for 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned.
- TO FREEZE--------------.
- Place on a tray or cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze.
- Then package them in zip-loc bags or vacuum seal in bags in desired amounts.
- To reheat frozen Voreniki; let thaw for about 1/2 hour and then fry in a small almount of butter as noted above.
LENTEN PIROGI AND BOBALKI
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield : 2 dozen small pirogi
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook potatoes in simmering water until soft and put them through a potato ricer. Saute onion in margarine until very soft. Add 1/2 of the onions to the potatoes and season with salt and pepper.
- For the pirogi sift flour and salt into a bowl. Add vegetable oil and enough water to make a soft dough and mix until the dough no longer sticks to the hands. Cover dough and let rest for about 5 minutes. Roll out dough on a floured board to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough into small squares and place a dollop of potato mixture in the center of each square. Fold dough, pinching ends to form a triangle. When all are made, put into boiling water and boil for about 10 minutes.
- For bobalki, roll out leftover dough into 3-inch long pieces and cook with pirogi.
- When all are cooked, drain and serve with the remaining Sauteed onions on top.
VARENIKI- UKRANIAN PIEROGIES
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h25m
Yield 50 to 55 vareniki -- enough fo
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- In a food processor, blend the flour and the salt. With the motor running, add the egg and the oil, and then pour the water in a slow, steady stream until the dough forms a ball around the blade. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 2 minutes, until smooth. Cover with a kitchen towel and let stand for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into 2 balls. On a floured surface, with a floured rolling pin, roll out one of the balls very thinly, to about 1/16th of an inch, making sure that it doesn't tear. With a cookie cutter, or a cup, cut out circles about 3 inches in diameter. Place a heaping teaspoon of the desired filling in the middle of a circle. Fold the dough over to form a semi-circle. Brush the edges with the egg and press firmly with the tines of the fork to seal. Place the vareniki as they are made on a large, lightly floured, platter, and cover with a damp cloth, while making the next batch. Repeat with the second ball of dough. Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to moderate and carefully lower half of the vareniki into the water. Boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they rise to the surface, about 6 to 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, carefully remove the vareniki into a colander and drain thoroughly. Transfer into a deep serving bowl and toss with half of the butter.
- In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and saute the onion until deeply colored, about 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Add the Sauteed onion along with the cooking fat and mix well. Fill the vareniki and cook as directed.
- In a large skillet, saute the bacon over medium heat until it renders its fat. Remove the bacon and drain all but 2 tablespoons of fat. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until nicely browned. Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the sauerkraut and saute, stirring until limp and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add the sugar and broth. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature before filling. Use the reserved bacon for topping.;
- Combine all the filling ingredients and mix thoroughly. Fill and cook as directed. This filling can be either sweet or savory, so add salt or sugar, accordingly. Serve with sour cream and confectioners' sugar, if sweet.
VORENIKI (PEROGIES), POTATO/CHEDDAR CHEESE & ONION
The Voreniki are an excellent side dish and are handy to have available frozen. I have improved on this recipe since my Russian Grandmother taught me how to make them over 50 years ago. Using whipping cream in the dough mixture, tenderizes the dough
Provided by William Uncle Bill
Categories Potato
Time 50m
Yield 36 Voreniki, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- DOUGH PREPARATION--------------.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, add eggs, milk, whipping cream, sour cream and salt and whisk well to blend.
- Add baking powder and stir in gently.
- In a large mixing bowl, add flour and egg mixture and mix well to incorporate.
- Add additional flour if necessary so that dough does not stick to bowl or feel sticky.
- Form dough into a ball and knead about 10 times.
- Divide dough in half, form into balls, cover with a damp cloth and set aside until ready to use.
- FILLING--------------.
- In a medium size saucepan, add potatoes and cover with water.
- Cook until potatoes are tender; drain.
- Mash potatoes, then add grated cheddar cheese, onion, salt and pepper and mix well to incorporate.
- Break off pieces of dough and form into balls, about the size of a golf ball.
- Roll out each ball of dough on a floured surface to about 1/16 inch thickness.
- Place dough into a 4 or 5 inch "MINI FORM" and make sure that the dough projects over the edges.
- Spoon about 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling into the centre, (depending to the size of Mini Form you are using). Place the form into one hand and lift the edge of the"MINI FORM" and slightly push the filling down with your finger.
- Now fold the"MINI FORM" completely over and squeeze.
- Remove excess dough by running your finger around the folded edges and set excess dough aside to be used again.
- Continue to form the Voreniki until all dough and filling are used up.
- As an alternate, if you do not have a "MINI-FORM", after rolling the dough out to 1/16 inch thickness, place a heaping tablespoon of filling in the center. Fold the dough over and crimp together. Then take a fork that is dipped in flour and press the edges to ensure a seal.
- If you have filling left over, cover and refrigerate to use later or form patties and fry.
- TO COOK--------------.
- Fill a pasta cooker or a large pot 3/4 full with water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
- When the water is in a rolling boil, drop in 6 formed Voreniki, stir once with a slotted spoon so that they do not stick together.
- Cook for about 2 minutes or until they rise to the surface in about 1 1/2 minutes of cooking and continue to cook for the full 2 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl.
- If desired, add some melted butter to coat.
- Serve immediately with additional melted butter, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt and a sprinkling of chopped green onions or chives.
- To reheat, you can drop them again into boiling water for about 1 1/2 minutes.
- Or you can fry them in a small amount of butter, cover and fry on medium-high heat for about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown.
- The Voreniki freeze very well.
- Place on a tray or a cookie sheet in one layer and freeze.
- Then package them in zip-loc bags or vacuum seal bags in quanties as desired.
- To reheat frozen Voreniki; let thaw for about 1/2 hour and then fry in a small amount of butter as noted above.
Tips:
- For a crispier crust, pan-fry the vareniki until golden brown.
- To make the vareniki ahead of time, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to cook, boil them from frozen for a few extra minutes.
- Serve the vareniki with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, butter, or fried onions.
Conclusion:
Russian vareniki are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of ingredients, making them a great option for any occasion.
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