Rosh Hashana Perogen

Perogen in chicken soup

Ingredients

Filling

300g (just over ½ lb) ground beef

1 small onion very finely chopped

1 tablespoon oil or olive oil

1 tablespoon flour

Salt and pepper to taste

(Optional) ½ teaspoon of any preferred meat spice (dill, thyme, paprika, etc.)

Dough

Cut rounds from the dough and re-use the leftovers

½ cup oil

1 egg

1 cup water

3-3½ cups flour (or as needed to make an elastic dough)

3½ teaspoons baking powder

Pinch of salt

How to do it

Filling

Place one teaspoon of filling in the middle of the dough round

1. In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil and fry the onions until soft (not brown)

2. Add the ground beef, salt and pepper and stir the meat to brown it evenly.

3. Once the beef is brown, drain off some of the liquid, then add the flour and any additional seasoning, and stir over low heat until all combined and the flour is absorbed. Set aside to cool. Tip: You can make the filling ahead of time and refrigerate overnight.

Dough

Push the meat to the back of the folded round before you seal it

4. In a large bowl, whisk the oil and egg together. Add the salt and water and beat well.

5. Stir the flour and baking powder into the liquid one cup at a time, and mix slowly until you get a doughy consistency. Then use your hands to add all of the flour so you get a workable, elastic dough that you will be able to roll out. Do not overwork the dough – knead just until all combined and smooth.

6. On a clean, floured surface, take one handful of the dough, and roll it out into a 3mm thick circle, using a floured rolling pin. The dough will spring back, so you can roll it a little thinner than 3mm.

Seal with a fork

7. Using a round cookie cutter about 8½cm (3½ inches) in diameter, cut circles in the dough. Note: Put the leftover in-between bits of dough back in with the rest of the dough and re-use it.  It’s a forgiving dough that won’t come apart because it’s already been rolled out.

8.Take about 1 teaspoon of the filling and place it in the middle of the circle. With your finger tip, dab some water along one half of the circle and close the dough over the meat, using your right thumb to push the filling to the back of the perogen so you have a clean surface to seal. Making sure not to leave any air inside, seal the pie with

Baked and golden, ready for the soup

your finger tips and then use a fork to seal the edges further. Tip: Turn the perogen over and make sure that the bottom is properly sealed. If not, then give it another kvetch with the fork.

9. Place the prepared perogen on a greased baking tray lined with baking paper, about 2cm (1 inch) apart.

10. Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 15 minutes or until the perogen are golden brown.

11. Serve warm in chicken soup. Kids will also happily eat these plain with a dollop of ketchup.

Recipe makes about 30 perogen.