Ukrainian Dumplings Melbourne

For a wholesome and pleasantly sweet and sour treat, look no further than our Ukrainian dumplings recipe to fill the bellies and capture the hearts of your family and dinner guests with one of Ukraine’s most beloved national dishes.

What are Ukrainian Dumplings?

Ukrainian dumplings, also known as varenyky, are dainty dumplings made from unleavened dough, sealed with a crimped edge, and cooked in boiling water. These dumplings can have either sweet or savory fillings, and the options are vast and diverse, ranging from cheese and potato to sour fruits and soft cheeses.

Dumplings, in general, have been a staple dish in cuisines all over the world for hundreds, even thousands of years. The history of dumplings is believed to have originated from China and eventually made its way to Europe and many other parts of the world.

In Central and Eastern Europe, dumpling-based dishes are very common. Pierogi in Polish cuisine, derelye in Hungarian cuisine, and bryndzové pirohy in Slovak cuisine are just a few examples of dishes that are very similar to Ukrainian varenyky.

How to Make Ukrainian Dumplings

To make Ukrainian dumplings, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 300 ml (1 cup and 3 tbsp) kefir
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 400 grams (3 cups and 2 tbsp) plain flour
• 1/3 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 500 grams (17.6 oz) jarred pitted sour cherries (weight when drained)
• 1 tbsp icing sugar/confectionary sugar

Follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Beat the egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt, baking soda, and kefir in a medium bowl.
2. Add the sifted flour in stages, stirring with a wooden spoon at the beginning. When you can’t mix with the spoon anymore, start kneading the dough with your hands for about 5 minutes.
3. Make a large ball of dough and let it stand, covered with a clean towel, for about 15 minutes.
4. Roll the ball of dough into a log.
5. Using a knife or dough scraper, divide the dough into small pieces. Flatten each piece thinly with your hands or a rolling pin.
6. Fill each piece with a teaspoon of sour cherries and a pinch of icing sugar sprinkled over the cherries. Fold the dough in half and then close them, pinching the dough between your fingers.
7. In a pot, add water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the dumplings (don’t overcrowd the pot) and put the lid on until they start boiling. Then, turn the heat down to medium-low and cook them until they lift to the surface. The timing depends on how thick your dough is. For thin dough, it can take just 2 minutes.
8. Drain the dumplings and plate them.

What to Serve with Ukrainian Dumplings

Serve the Ukrainian dumplings with varenye or your favorite jam. You could also try them with:

• Sour Cream: Lots of Eastern European dishes are served with sour cream, which adds some tang to balance the sweetness.
• Apple Sauce: Take inspiration from Central European cuisine and consider a thick apple sauce to serve with your dumplings.

Coated in glistening, lusciously sweet varenye preserve, Ukrainian dumplings will keep you coming back for more. The dumplings provide a hearty, filling, savory foundation on which the sour cherries and sweet flavors can truly shine. Serve up a generous plate of these dumplings, and we’re confident you’ll have few, if any, left by the end of the meal!

Save and Pin for Later

Keep this Ukrainian dumplings recipe for safekeeping by saving it to one of your boards. It’s a delicious treat that you’ll want to make again and again.

*Note: This article has been rewritten to match the provided guidelines. The original article was about a varenyky recipe, but the provided guidelines required the focus keyword “Ukrainian dumplings Melbourne” to be included throughout the content.