Russian Chicken Pelmeni Recipe

Step 1

Using the whisk attachment on medium speed, beat together: 2/3 cup buttermilk, 1 Tbsp of sour cream, 2 cups warm water, 2 eggs and 1/2 Tbsp salt until well blended.

Step 2

Using the dough hook, mix in 4 cups flour. Mix on speed 2 until well blended.

Step 3

Add 3 more cups of flour one cup at a time, allowing the dough to become well blended with each cup.

Step 4

Add the rest of the flour 1 Tbsp at a time, until the dough is no longer sticking to the the bowl (I used an additional 6 Tbsp flour). Once dough is no longer sticking to the bowl, continue to mix 5 min. (Total mixing time is about 20-25 minutes from the time you first start adding flour). Your dough should be soft and elastic. Cover your dough with plastic wrap or a tea towel until ready to use.

Step 5

Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a medium skillet over med/high heat. Add chopped onion and saute until golden and soft (4-5 min) Add garlic and saute another minute then remove from heat.

Step 6

Mix together: ground chicken, sauteed onion and garlic, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper and 2 Tbsp chopped parsley. A handy tip: The KitchenAid is very useful for mixing ground meat so your fingers don't turn into popsicles if your meat is cold.

Step 7

Cut off about tennis-ball-size chunks of dough, place over a smooth, lightly floured surface and roll out into a circle that is wider than your mold. .

Step 8

Lightly flour your mold and place rolled dough over the mold. Fill each pocket of the mold with 1/2 tsp of your filling.

Step 9

(Make your husband) Roll out another chunk of dough and place over the mold. Use a rolling pin to role over the top of the second layer of dough on your mold; working from the center - outwards until the pelmeni are well-defined.

Step 10

Turn the pelmeni maker over and push the pelmeni out onto a well-floured cutting board. If you find any rebel pelmeni with open edges, pinch them to seal or the meat may float out while cooking.

Step 11

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.

Step 12

Place 1 tsp pelmeni filling in the center,

Step 13

Fold the dough in half over the meat and pinch the edges tightly to seal the dough.

Step 14

You should have a half-moon shape. Pinch the two corners together to form your classic ravioli shape.

Step 15

Place pelmeni onto a well-floured cutting board. Arrange pelmeni evenly on the cutting board, sprinkle with flour and cook (see instructions below) or place in the freezer.

Step 16

Once they are fully frozen, transfer to large ziploc bags and freeze them for lazier days.

Step 17

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 fresh or FROZEN (do not defrost) 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 (my personal favorite).