How to Make Delicious Russian Dumplings (пельмени)

ground meat

🥗Healthier: lean turkey or chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Turkey or chicken reduces fat content, while pork is often less expensive.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt is lower in calories and provides a similar tangy flavor.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine can be a cost-effective alternative.

fresh herbs

🥗Healthier: dried herbs

💰Cheaper: none

Dried herbs can be more accessible and have a longer shelf life.

Start by preparing the filling. In a bowl, pour in water, add salt, pepper, minced garlic, dill, parsley, and finely chopped onions; mix well.

Add ground pork and ground beef to the mixture and combine thoroughly using your hands.

Transfer the filling to a piping bag and set aside.

For the dough, pour water into a bowl, add salt and an egg, and whisk until combined.

Add white bread flour to the mixture and use a dough scraper to mix it into a slightly sticky dough.

Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes to strengthen the gluten.

After resting, fold the dough by wetting your hands, picking it up, and folding the sides down into the middle; place it back in the bowl and let it rest for another 30 minutes.

Dust the dough and workspace with flour, then roll out the dough to a thickness of 1 to 2 mm.

Cut circles from the rolled dough using a cutter that is 65 mm (2.5 inches) across.

Collect the scraps, mush them together, and roll out again to cut more circles until all dough is used.

Pipe about one teaspoon of filling onto each dough circle.

Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal; for a decorative shape, dip a finger in flour, push it into the back of the dumpling, cross the ends over your finger, and pinch them together.

Place the shaped dumplings on a tray and cover them to prevent freezer burn if not cooking immediately.

To cook, season boiling water with salt, pepper, vinegar, and bay leaves.

Drop the dumplings into the boiling water and wait for them to float to the surface; boil for an additional 3 minutes after they float.

Remove the dumplings with a slotted spoon or strain them in a colander.

Mix the cooked dumplings with melted butter and serve with a dollop of sour cream, extra black pepper, and dill.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens