Russian or Ukranian dumplings

Although dumplings came in Russia from China, we make them differently now.

We use different kinds of fillings: potato, cabbage, cottage cheese, and different berries, for example, cherry dumplings are very popular.

We also use another kind of fillings – different kinds of meat in different proportions.

(picture from http://www.nika.by/thumb/290x290xM/files/gastronomy/5.jpg)

We have different names for these two kinds of fillings. Those with meat we call “pelmeni”, others – “vareniki”. Besides, pelmeni has a little bit different (round) shape than vareniki. Usually, we cook both, pelmeni and vareniki, in a boiled water, but some people like to fry them in oil or butter after this.Usually, the whole family sits around the table to make meat dumplings, especially for special occasions such as New Year.