Vareniki are small pastries made of unleavened dough with a filling of sour cherries, cottage cheese, etc. Making vareniki is a family activity and you will have a lot of fun cooking them. Invite your friends to enjoy cooking this tasty original Ukrainian dish.
Ingredients:
Dough:
- 5 cups of flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 100 g (1/4 lb.) of butter
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup water or as needed.
Fillings options:
- Mashed potatoes with fried onions
- Mashed potatoes with fried mushrooms
- Stewed cabbage
- Sweet cottage cheese with raisins
- Fresh sour cherries without stones
- Fresh strawberries
Cooking
Step 1. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Melt the butter (a microwave is easiest). Add the butter and milk and mix lightly until the flour is absorbed. (Add a little warm water as needed.) Knead until the dough sticks together, cover and allow to rest for a few minutes, then knead until smooth.
Cover and set aside.
Step 2. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, and cover for about half an hour. Place 1/4 of the dough on a floured work surface, re-covering the rest of the dough. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a circle (like a pancake), starting at the center and rolling outwards to maintain an even thickness, turn over and from the center, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Run a hand under the bottom to loosen it. Cut with a knife into rounds with diameter around 3 inches.
Step 3. When done cutting, place 1 spoon of the filling on one side of each round, flipping the other half over the top and sealing with your fingers. Be sure to seal these well. Place each of the varenyky on a floured cookie sheet and cover them with a towel. Repeat with the remaining dough, saving the scraps and rolling them to make another varenyky disk.
Step 4. While you are making the last ones, place a saucepan with water on the stove, to make the water boil. Gently drop 12 to 15 varenyky into the boiling water. Do not overcrowd.
Stir and cook for about 3 - 4 minutes.
Step 5. Drain in a collander and place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet, shaking to coat with a thin film to prevent sticking.
Vareniki are served with sour cream and butter. Smachnogo! Bon Appetite!