Filling:
1 pound ricotta cheese or dry curd cottage cheese
1 whole egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash pepper
Dough:
2 whole eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons oil
2 cups flour
1 1/8 teaspoons baking powder
Ham Gravy:
1/2 cup diced ham
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper — to taste
…..
Combine filling ingredients and set aside. Make dough by mixing all ingredients together, adding additional flour as necessary. Makes a medium dough. Roll out dough until thin. Cut into 4-inch circles. Put a scoop or cottage cheese filling in the center of the circle and fold over. Pinch edges shut. Place verenika on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Once all verenika are prepared, freeze them on the cookie sheet until frozen solid.
When ready to use place frozen verenika, a few at a time, into boiling water. Boil until they float, approximately 7 minutes. Remove verenika from water and fry in a few tablespoons butter in skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned on both sides. Serve with ham gravy or syrup.
Ham Gravy:
Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan. Add the ham and heat through. Add the flour and blend over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the flour and butter mixture from the pan and cool completely. Once the mixture is cool, begin heating the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the milk is warm, whisk in the cooled flour mixture until smooth. Continue to stir the mixture constantly until thickened. Stir in sour cream and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.