Pelmeni are dumplings with a filling wrapped in thin dough. Pelmeni originated in Russia and are one of our team’s favorite foods these past two months since we’ve arrived in Western Europe. Seriously, every time we go out to eat, at least one person orders pelmeni. I found a great recipe for these online at the Natasha’s Kitchen website. This recipe will make enough pelmeni for about six dinners.
Ingredients for Pelmeni Dough:
2/3 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tsp salt
7 cups plus 6 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
Ingredients for Pelmeni Filling:
1 lb ground turkey
1 lb ground pork
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp ground pepper
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp hot sauce, optional
Ingredients/ Ideas for Toppings:
Butter, melted
Sour cream, vinegar, ketchup
How to Make Pelmeni Dough:
- Using a whisk, mix together: 2/3 cup buttermilk, 2 cups warm water, 2 eggs and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt until well blended.
- Add 4 cups flour and switch to a dough hook if you are using a mixer. Mix on medium speed until well blended
- Add 3 more cups of flour (one cup at a time and wait for the dough to become well blended with each cup)
- Add the rest of the flour 1 tbsp at a time, until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides of the bowl. Once it is no longer sticking to the bowl, continue to mix 5 minutes. (Total mixing time is about 20 minutes from the time you start adding flour).
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface.
How to Make Pelmeni Filling:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium skillet. Add onion and saute until golden and soft. Add garlic and saute another minute.
- Mix together pork, turkey, onion & garlic mix, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground pepper and 1 tsp hot sauce (optional).
If making pelmeni by hand:
- Shape a portion of the dough into a 1 to 2 -inch thick log. Cut off 1 piece at a time (about gum ball sized) and roll into disks to form a 1.5-inch circle with rolling pin. Sprinkle rolling pin and surface with flour if needed.
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Place 1 tsp pelmeni filling in the center,
- Lose the edges and pinch together.
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Pinch the corners together to form, well… a diaper shape.
- Place pelmeni onto a well-floured cutting board. Arrange pelmeni evenly on the cutting board, sprinkle with flour and place in the freezer.
- Once they are fully frozen, put them in large ziploc bags, sprinkle with flour and freeze them for future enjoyment.
To Cook Pelmeni:
Bring a pot of water to boil (add 1 tbsp salt for a large soup pot, or 1 tsp salt for a smaller 4 quart pot). Add FROZEN pelmeni and return to a boil. They should float to the top, then boil for 3 minutes longer (or until meat is fully cooked). Drain pelmeni and place them in a clean bowl. Toss pelmeni with butter and sprinkle with dill (optional). Serve them warm with ketchup, sour cream or vinegar.
A traditional Moldovan woman cooking yummy pelmeni!
