Country: Russia Servings: Serves 4

Ingredients

• all-purpose flour – 3.5 cups / 420 g
• warm milk – 1 cup / 240 ml
• active dry yeast – 2 1/4 tsp
• sugar – 2 tbsp
• salt – 1 tsp
• unsalted butter – 1/4 cup / 57 g, melted
• egg – 1 large
• ground beef – 1 lb / 450 g
• onion – 1 medium, finely chopped
• garlic – 2 cloves, minced
• dill – 2 tbsp, chopped
• black pepper – 1/2 tsp
• sunflower oil – for frying

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm milk. Sprinkle yeast over the milk and let it stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
4. While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sauté until softened.
5. Add ground beef, cook until browned. Stir in dill, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a circle.
7. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold over the edges to seal and shape into ovals.
8. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry pirozhki until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Substitutions

• ground beef -> ground turkey
• dill -> parsley
• sunflower oil -> vegetable oil

Enhancements in the Next Evolution

• Try using a mix of beef and pork for a more savory filling.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the filling for an extra depth of flavor.
• Experiment with sweet fillings using apples and cinnamon.