Ever find yourself with a batch of delicious ground meat, wondering how to make the most of it? This unique two-in-one recipe is the perfect solution! We're diving into the heart of Eastern European comfort food to create two beloved dishes from a single preparation: delicate, homemade pelmeni and juicy, flavorful kotlety. Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings, little parcels of joy often made for family gatherings, while kotlety are savory meat patties that are a staple on any dinner table. With a few clever tweaks, you'll turn one seasoned chicken filling into two completely distinct and equally mouthwatering meals. Get ready to impress your family and friends with your culinary efficiency and taste!
Homemade pelmeni and juicy kotlety — two in one
For the dough
- 50 ml milk
- 75 ml water
- 1 egg
- 20 ml olive oil
- 250 g all-purpose flour + more for dusting
- salt
For the filling and kotlety
- 600 g chicken breast or thigh fillet
- 60 g green onions
- 40 g parsley
- 70 g Parmesan cheese
- 15 ml olive oil
- 30 ml heavy cream
- 40 g pitted olives
- 80 g bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
- pepper, salt, breadcrumbs, and oil for frying
How to Make Homemade Pelmeni and Juicy Kotlety
For the homemade pelmeni recipe, slice the chicken breast fillet into thin strips.
Slice the chicken fillet into thin strips
Pass the sliced meat through a meat grinder (using the coarse plate) or finely chop it with a knife.
Add finely chopped parsley.
Add finely chopped green onions.
Pass the chopped meat through a meat grinder or chop it with a knife
Add finely chopped parsley
Add finely chopped green onion
Grate a piece of Parmesan or any other hard cheese on a fine grater.
Season with salt, pepper, and add sweet paprika powder.
Pour in a tablespoon of high-quality olive oil.
Grate a piece of Parmesan or other hard cheese on a fine grater
Salt, pepper, and add sweet paprika powder
Pour in a tablespoon of olive oil
Mix the filling thoroughly, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator.
Mix the ground meat thoroughly and place it in the refrigerator
Now, let’s make the dough for the homemade pelmeni (small dumplings, a traditional Eastern European dish). This is a universal dough that also works well for vareniki (larger, often crescent-shaped dumplings). Mix the milk with warm water, add salt, and crack in the egg. Whisk the liquid ingredients, then add the all-purpose flour and knead the dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Divide the dough into several parts, roll each part into a log, and slice the logs. The weight of each piece should be about 10-12 grams.
Dust a board with flour and roll out the pieces into small, thin circles.
Making the dough
Divide the dough into several parts, roll into logs, and slice
Roll out the pieces
Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling in the center of each circle, shape the pelmeni, and arrange them on a floured board.
Shape the pelmeni and place them on a floured board
To the remaining filling, add the finely diced bell pepper.
Then, add the sliced olives.
Pour in the heavy cream and mix thoroughly.
Add chopped bell pepper to the remaining ground meat
Add sliced olives
Pour in heavy cream and mix thoroughly
Form small, round kotlety (pan-fried meat patties, similar to cutlets or small burgers).
Form small round kotlety
Coat the kotlety in breadcrumbs. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
Coat and fry the kotlety
Boil the homemade pelmeni in a large amount of salted water until cooked through.
Boil the pelmeni
Drizzle the hot pelmeni with melted butter, sprinkle with green onions, and season with pepper.
Drizzle the pelmeni with melted butter, sprinkle with onion, and pepper
The homemade pelmeni and juicy kotlety are ready. Garnish with curly parsley before serving.
Homemade pelmeni and juicy kotlety are ready
And there you have it—two fantastic dishes from one smart recipe! Serving these homemade pelmeni and kotlety will surely bring warmth and delight to your table. Traditionally, pelmeni are served with a dollop of smetana (sour cream), a splash of vinegar, or simply with melted butter and fresh herbs, just as we did. The juicy kotlety are wonderfully versatile and pair perfectly with mashed potatoes, a fresh salad, or your favorite grain. Enjoy the delicious results of your work and the magic of turning simple ingredients into a feast for your loved ones!
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