Ah, vareniki with plums—like little pillows filled with the essence of a sweet summer’s day. Imagine biting into one and being transported to a sun-drenched orchard, the juicy, tart plums mingling with the delicate, doughy embrace. It takes me back to the time I stumbled upon a quaint café in Eastern Europe—where they served these dumplings with a dollop of cream, a touch of nostalgia, and a sprinkle of magic.
Steps
- Combine 1/3 cup buttermilk, 1/2 tablespoon sour cream, 1 cup warm water, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon salt in an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth. This can be done manually, but using a mixer is more efficient.
- Attach the dough hook and incorporate 2 cups of flour at a low speed until thoroughly mixed.
- Gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour, half a cup at a time, allowing each portion to integrate fully before adding more. Mix for 15 minutes, then add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough no longer clings to the bowl’s sides. Continue mixing for an additional 5 minutes until the dough is elastic and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set it aside until needed.
- Take a small piece of dough, about the size of a gumball, and roll it into a 3-inch circle. Use flour to prevent sticking on the work surface and rolling pin.
- Lay two plum slices on one half of the dough circle, keeping plum juice away from the edges. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of sugar on the plums, then fold the dough to enclose the filling and press the edges firmly. Place the vareniki on a floured surface.
- Boil 4 quarts of water with 3/4 tablespoon salt. Carefully drop the vareniki into the boiling water in batches, ensuring they don’t overcrowd. Once they float, cook for another minute, then remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Sprinkle sugar between layers to prevent sticking, creating a light syrup. Serve with sour cream or enjoy plain.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose, unbleached flour
- 1 pound sweet plums, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
FAQ
- What ingredients are needed for Plum Vareniki dough?
- To prepare the dough for Plum Vareniki, you will need 1/3 cup of buttermilk, 1/2 tablespoon of sour cream, 1 cup of warm water, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 3 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons of all-purpose, unbleached flour.
- How do you prepare the Plum Vareniki filling?
- The filling requires 1 pound of sweet plums, which should be thinly sliced, and 1/2 cup of sugar. These ingredients are placed inside the dough before sealing and cooking.
- What is the process for making the Plum Vareniki dough?
- In an electric mixer bowl, blend together buttermilk, sour cream, warm water, egg, and salt. Gradually incorporate the flour using the dough hook attachment, mixing until the dough is elastic and no longer sticky to the bowl.
- How should Plum Vareniki be cooked?
- After forming the vareniki, boil them in salted water in batches. Once they float to the top, allow them to cook for an additional minute before removing them with a slotted spoon. Drizzle sugar between layers to prevent sticking.
- Can I use a different fruit for the filling?
- While this recipe uses plums, vareniki can be filled with various fruits. Feel free to experiment with your favorite fruits to find your preferred filling.
Tips
- To prevent the dough from sticking to your work surface or rolling pin, sprinkle flour as needed while rolling out the dough circles.
- Ensure that no plum juice reaches the edges of the dough when placing plum slices, as this can prevent the vareniki from sealing properly.
- After cooking the vareniki, layer them with a sprinkling of sugar to stop them from sticking together. This sugar will melt into a light syrup over the warm vareniki.
- For best results, cook the vareniki in batches, allowing them to float to the top of the boiling water before giving them an additional minute to cook through.
Equipment
- Electric Mixer with Dough Hook Attachment
- Rolling Pin
- Slotted Spoon
