Pirozhki

I can provide you with a recipe to prepare pirozhki, which are delicious filled buns typical of Russian cuisine. Of course, I will also suggest an Italian-style filling alternative, in case you want to try something different.

Ingredients for the dough:

• 500 g flour
• 250 ml warm milk
• 100 g butter (or oil if you prefer a lighter option)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 7 g active dry yeast or 25 g fresh yeast

Ingredients for the traditional filling:

• 300 g ground meat (beef, pork or a mix of both)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs to taste (parsley, dill, etc.)

Italian alternative for the filling:

• 300 g ricotta
• 100 g boiled and squeezed spinach
• 50 g grated Parmesan
• Nutmeg to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Prepare the dough: in a large bowl, mix the flour with the salt and sugar. In another bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let it activate for a few minutes. Then combine the milk with yeast and the flour, add the egg and the softened butter or oil. Knead until you obtain a smooth and elastic dough. Let it rise covered in a warm place until doubled in volume (about 1-2 hours).

2. Meanwhile, prepare the filling: in a pan, sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent. Add the ground meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the meat is browned. If using the Italian filling, mix the ricotta with the spinach, Parmesan, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a bowl.

3. Once the dough has risen, divide the dough into walnut-sized balls (or larger if you prefer bigger pirozhki). Roll each ball into a disk and place a spoonful of filling in the center.

4. Close the pirozhok by pinching the edges together or folding them so that the filling is completely sealed inside.

5. Arrange the pirozhki on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each one. Let them rise for another 30 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Brush the surface of the pirozhki with a little milk or beaten egg to give them a nice golden shine.

7. Bake the pirozhki in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until golden.

Fun Facts

Pirozhki are traditionally enjoyed hot and can be served as an appetizer or as a main dish. In Russia, pirozhki are often filled with a variety of fillings, including meat, vegetables, rice, hard-boiled eggs and even fruit for sweet versions. The Italian version of the filling I suggested is inspired by the flavors of ricotta and spinach, very common in ravioli or tortelli preparations.