Recipe: Vareniki (Russian)

VARENIKI

FOR THE DOUGH:
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons cold water
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
FOR THE FILLING:
1/2 pound cottage cheese, sieved
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup raisins, chopped
FOR THE TOPPING:
Sour cream

TO MAKE THE DOUGH:
Mix eggs with water and combine flour with salt. Blend together to make an elastic dough. Form into 2-inch balls, then press thumb into center of each ball to form an indentation.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
Combine all ingredients and mix well. If mixture is thin, add a tablespoon of flour to make filling thick enough to hold together.

TO MAKE THE VARENKI:
Bring large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Fill indentations in dough balls with a little filling and close ball on top of each to form ovals.

Simmer vareniki 10-12 minutes, until they rise to surface; remove with slotted spoon and serve with sour cream.

VARIATION:

CHERRY FILLING:
Fill each vareniki with 2-3 pitted cherries which have been rolled in granulated sugar.

Yield: 5 servings
Source: The Russian Heritage Cookbook by Lynn Visson