Vareniki with cottage cheese, cherry and coca
Vareniki – a Direct Association with Childhood. Gathering around a round table as a whole family, shaping a whole tray of food from a variety of ingredients – that’s the direct association with vareniki from childhood. Grandma used to prepare the dough, and the fillings were incredibly diverse – potatoes, rice with eggs, cheese with herbs and boiled eggs, fresh berries like currants, cherries, strawberries… Everyone joined in the process, each contributing their own touch: Mom pressed the edges with a fork, creating beautiful, patterned, and thin vareniki; Grandma folded them in a braid, and the kids got creative in their own ways. Sometimes, there were playful tricks – adding salt and pepper to the filling. Whoever got such a varenik was considered lucky; their wish was believed to come true. Do you remember those gatherings? They felt cozy and deliciously homemade. While we can’t turn back time to our childhood, recreating those flavors is entirely possible. We’ve curated a modern vareniki recipe for you with a filling of cottage cheese and berries, accompanied by cocoa-infused dough. This unique combination will be a hit with both kids and adults. After all, a beloved varenik looks especially appetizing with a chocolatey hue. It’s quick and easy to make, and it disappears in an instant. Feeling inspired? Let’s get started!
Vareniki – a Direct Association with Childhood. Gathering around a round table as a whole family, shaping a whole tray of food from a variety of ingredients – that’s the direct association with vareniki from childhood. Grandma used to prepare the dough, and the fillings were incredibly diverse – potatoes, rice with eggs, cheese with herbs and boiled eggs, fresh berries like currants, cherries, strawberries… Everyone joined in the process, each contributing their own touch: Mom pressed the edges with a fork, creating beautiful, patterned, and thin vareniki; Grandma folded them in a braid, and the kids got creative in their own ways. Sometimes, there were playful tricks – adding salt and pepper to the filling. Whoever got such a varenik was considered lucky; their wish was believed to come true. Do you remember those gatherings? They felt cozy and deliciously homemade. While we can’t turn back time to our childhood, recreating those flavors is entirely possible. We’ve curated a modern vareniki recipe for you with a filling of cottage cheese and berries, accompanied by cocoa-infused dough. This unique combination will be a hit with both kids and adults. After all, a beloved varenik looks especially appetizing with a chocolatey hue. It’s quick and easy to make, and it disappears in an instant. Feeling inspired? Let’s get started!
Use
Use
Ingredients
Water (cooled)
250 g
Cocoa powder (preferably hot chocolate or special baking cocoa)
25 g
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
Table salt
1/2 of teaspoon
Strawberries or cherries or currants
500 g
Cottage cheese with 2% fat content
220 g
Sugar
2 – 3 tablespoons
Method of preparation
1
Stages of preparing chocolate dumplings with cottage cheese and berries. To begin with, you need to sift the flour together with cocoa. This step is essential, especially for the last ingredient, to prevent lumps and to ensure the dough has a uniform color. When choosing cocoa, remember that salt enhances its taste and color, so opt for natural cocoa powder without added cream or other ingredients. This way, the shade of the finished dish will be perfectly rich
2
Take a small saucepan or pot and pour water into it. Add salt, butter, and a bit of sugar, then bring the liquid to a boil. Pour the boiling mixture into a bowl with the sifted flour and cocoa, and mix well with a spoon. Be careful not to burn yourself. Gradually incorporate the hot water into the flour mixture, stirring gently. It’s important not to rush to prevent the mixture from clumping. Once the water is fully absorbed, transfer the dough onto a work surface and knead it by hand. Form it into a ball and tightly wrap it with plastic wrap. Let it rest at room temperature for about 30 to 40 minutes
3
For the filling, use low-fat cottage cheese. While cooking, the whey will add moisture to the filling and give it a richer taste. Mash the cottage cheese with a fork and add sugar. It’s better to powder the sugar beforehand to prevent it from being noticeable
4
Rinse the berries thoroughly and dry them on a towel. If using currants or raspberries, mash them with a fork. For strawberries, remove the stems and cut them into halves. Combine all the filling ingredients and mix well for even distribution. Taste the sweetness, and if needed, adjust the sugar to your liking
5
Combine all the filling ingredients and mix well for even distribution. Taste the sweetness, and if needed, adjust the sugar to your liking
6
The dough is ready—it has become more pliable under the plastic wrap, which makes it perfect for making dumplings. Divide it into 4 equal parts and roll out each portion into a thin sheet, about 1-2 mm thick. You can use special dumpling molds: place the dough over the mold, spoon the filling into the indentations, cover with another layer of dough, and roll over the mold with a rolling pin. The filled dumplings can now be boiled
7
If you don’t have a mold, cut circles using the rim of a small glass. Place about 1 teaspoon of filling onto each circle, adjusting based on the size of the dough. Seal the edges with a fork or twist them into a braid. This amount of dough yields approximately 30 dumplings
8
Boil the dumplings in a large pot of salted, boiling water. As soon as they float to the surface, cook them for about 2-3 more minutes and then remove them. You can place a pat of butter in a plate before adding the dumplings. Just before serving, garnish with fresh berries, jam, or sour cream, and a sprig of mint or basil. Your chocolate dumplings with cottage cheese and fresh berries are ready!
Share the recipe on social media. Enjoy your meal! With care for you, UE “Borisovskiy kombinat hleboproduktov”
