European Recipes:Ukrainian Recipes:Varenyky(Ukrainian Filled Dumplings)

* Exported from MasterCook *

                   VARENYKY (UKRAINIAN FILLED DUMPLINGS)

Recipe By     :
Serving Size : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Vegetables                       Russian

   Amount Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
                         -----NOODLE DOUGH-----
    4       c            Flour
                         Salt
    4       lg           Egg yolk
    2       T            Oil
   14       T             -- Water
    4       lg           Egg white -- lightly beaten
    8       T            Butter, sweet
                         -----POTATO FILLING-----
    6       T            Butter, sweet
    1       md           Onion -- finely chopped
    3       lg           Potato -- peel/boil/mashed
      1/4   lb           Farmer's cheese
    2       oz           Colby -- grated
                         Salt & pepper -- to taste
                         -----SAUERKRAUT FILLING-----
    3       sl           Bacon -- diced
    1       lg           Onion -- chopped
    3 1/2   c            Sauerkraut, packaged*
    1 1/2   T            Tomato paste
    2       ts           Sugar
      1/3   c            Chicken broth

   *Rinse kraut and squeeze thoroughly dry.

   Dumplings: In a food processor, blend the flour and 1/2 teaspoon
   salt. With the motor running, add the egg yolks and the oil through
   the feed tube, then pour in 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 until smooth, about two minutes. Cover
   with a linen or cotton (not terry) kitchen towel and let stand half
   an hour.

   Divide the dough in half and shape into two balls. Keep one ball
   covered with the towel. On a floured surface with a floured rolling
   pin, roll out the dough to a very thin sheet, about 1/16" thick,
   making sure it doesn't tear. With a round cookie cutter, cut out
   circles about 3" in diameter. Gather the scraps together into a ball
   and set aside, covered.

   Have a bowl with the egg white by you. Place a heaping teaspoon of
   the desired filling in the middle of each circle. Fold the dough
   over the filling to form a semi-circle. Brush the edges with the egg
   white and press the edges firmly together with the tines of a fork to
   seal. Place the vareniki as they are made on a lightly floured large
   baking sheet about 1" apart and keep covered with a damp tea towel.
   When finished with the first batch, roll out the second ball of dough
   and make a second batch. Add the leftover scraps of dough to the
   scraps left from the first batch, knead into a ball, and roll out for
   a final batch of varenyky.

   Meanwhile, in a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil.
   Reduce the heat to medium so the water simmers and carefully lower
   half the varenyky into the water. Boil, stirring occasionally with a
   wooden spoon to prevent sticking, until they rise to the surface and
   are cooked through, six to seven minutes. With a slotted spoon,
   carefully remove the varenyky to a colander and drain thoroughly.
   Transfer to a deep serving bowl and toss with half the butter.
   Repeat for the second half of the varenyky.

   Potato filling: Melt the butter in a small skilled over medium heat.
   Add the onion and saut#, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned,
   about 15 minutes. Remvoe from heat and cool slightly. In a large
   bowl, combine the potatoes and cheese. Add the saut#ed onion along
   with the melted butter and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and
   use for filling the varenyky.

   Sauerkraut filling: Saut# the bacon in a large skillet over medium
   heat until it renders its fat. Remove the bacon and reserve. Drain
   off all but two tablespoons fat. Add the onion to the skillet and
   saut#, stirring frequentlly over medium heat until nicely browned,
   almost 15 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the kraut,
   and saut#, stirring, until softened and cooked throughout, 10 to 15
   minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, sugar, and broth. Reduce the
   heat to low, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the
   heat and cool to room temperature before using to fill the varenyky.
   Use the reserved bacon as topping.