MyRussianFoods

Pelmeni

Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings stuffed with seasoned minced meat. Pelmeni can served boiled with broth or fried. This delicious meal comes from the Ural region (mountains separating the European part of the country from Siberia and the East). In the language of Komi people who live there “pelmeni” means “ear bread”.

This is a very popular meal and packages of frozen pelmeni can be found in every store in Russia. But making them from the scratch is still a tradition especially due to the fact that the result will surpass supermarkets equivalents.

The process of making Pelmeni will take some time but it is totally worth it- firstly, it can be a fun activity for your family or friends (or even yourself with the right attitude) and secondly and most importantly – you can freeze Pelmeni and keep them for many quick, easy and tasty meals to come.The secrets to delicious pelmeni with juicy stuffing:

  • meat: It should be high quality and a combination of beef and fatty pork. The fat in pork will account for the juiciness. Ideally you mince the meat yourself or specify what you need to your butcher. As an alternative you can grate some lard into the minced meat.
  • generously salting the meat, lack of salt will make the meal bland
  • adding some water to the minced meat
  • onions
  • mix the minced meat really well

Pelmeni Recipe

By myRussianFoods.com Published: February 18, 2014

    Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings stuffed with seasoned minced meat. Pelmeni can served boiled with broth or fried. This …

    Ingredients

    • 2 glasses flour
    • 1 egg
    • 1/2 cold boiled water
    • 300 grams minced fatty pork (10.5 ounces)
    • 200 grams minced beef (7 ounces)
    • 1 onion
    • salt, pepper
    • smetana/plain youghurt (OR butter - to serve)
    • dill

    Instructions

      • Sieve the flour, add the egg and water. Mix well into the dough. Leave for 30 min.

      • Meanwhile:
        Mince the meat and the peeled onion. Season with salt (generously) and pepper. Add 1/2 glass of water. (Meat will absorb the water and later this will give you delicious broth).

      • Mix the dough well, cut a slice to work with and cover the rest with a bowl. Flour the working surface and roll the dough very thin. Cut the circles using a glass.

      • Roll the dough very thin. Cut the circles using a glass. Put the meat stuffing with a teaspoon and stick two sides of a circle together. You can stick two corners together too. Put a piece of (baking) paper into the freezing drawer of your fridge and put there your pelmeni. Proceed doing a next portion.

      • Once the pelmeni in the freezer harden you can collect them into a bag to keep frozen.

      How to boil pelmeni:
      1.Take pelmeni out of the freezer and give them a quick wash under running water to wash away the excess flour.
      2. Boil in salted water with a bay leaf and peppercorns on medium or medium low heat. After pelmeni come to the surface boil for another 5 minutes.
      To check if pelmeni are cooked take one out and break with a spoon. The dough should be soft and the meat should not be pink.

      How to serve boiled pelmeni.
      Serve with smetana Or a piece of butter. With or without broth. You can also add chopped dill.

      Leave a comment

      Syrniki

      Russian cottage cheese pancakes


      Read More
      Draniki

      Savoury potato pancakes


      Read More
      Kefir Blini
      blini

      Traditional Russian pancakes


      Read More
      Zapekanka
      Russian tvorog zapekanka

      Baked cottage cheese cake


      Read More
      Semolina porridge

      Loved by little ones


      Read More
      Grenki toasts
      Sweet grenki toasts Russian breakfast

      Sweet toasts


      Read More
      Tvorog with Smetana
      tvorog with smetana Russian breakfast

      Healthy start of the day


      Read More
      Oladi
      Russian pancakes oladi

      Small fluffy pancakes


      Read More
      css.php