Russian/Ukrainian kotleti to Slavic people  is like chicken nuggets to Americans.We all grew up on them.It’s one of those Moms famous foods that are perfect as party food or everyday meal. They are tender,juicy, and well seasoned chicken patties that are fried and steamed or fried and simmered in creamy mushroom sauce.Creamy mushroom sauce can be served as gravy also.Always perfect.Always delicious!

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts*

4 chicken thighs*

2 medium onions chopped

1 carrot grated

2-3 bread slices

milk to soak bread

1 medium potato peeled and grated

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

salt and pepper

Bread crumbs (I get them from Trader Joes)

2 tbsp oil + more for frying

*Or 3-4 lbs ground chicken meat.

 

Mushroom sauce:

1/2 onion finely chopped

1/2 carrots finely grated

6-8 mushrooms sliced or quarted

3/4 chicken broth*

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream*

2 tablespoon flour*

1/4 teaspoon teaspoon pizza seasoning (optional)*

salt and pepper

2 tablespoons butter

* You can make it with out chicken broth,just add more cream and omit flour.The best pizza seasoning for this sauce is from winco (bulk section).I tried from other stores,It’s a little different.

Directions:

Grind chicken thighs and breast.

Soak bread slices in milk and set a side.

Heat oil in a sauté pan on medium heat.

Saute onions with carrots until soft.

Press through grinder and add to chicken.

Squeeze bread from milk.Press through grinder and add to chicken.

Add potatoes,mayonnaise,salt and pepper to chicken.

Mix everything well, hitting the meat against the bowl( at least 20 times).

Shape them in to preferred size patties.

Heat a frying pan with about 1/2 inch oil ( I use extra light olive oil or avocado oil).

Dredge each patty  in breadcrumbs . Fry patties in batches on both sides until golden brown.

If  you’re not serving kotleti/patties with mushroom sauce, arrange fried patties in a baking dish or a medium saucepan. I add onions,peppercorns,and bay leaf to the bottom (it’s optional).Pour a small amount of water or chicken broth over patties/kotleti,about 1/2 -3/4 inch from the bottom. If using baking method;heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 20-25 minutes. If using stovetop method; bring to a boil then reduce to low and steam for about 10 minutes.This makes kotleti juicy.

 

Mushroom Sauce:

Melt butter in a saute pan on medium heat.

Throw in onions.Saute onions until soft.Transfer to a bowl or plate.

Add more butter if needed and sauté carrots for couple of minutes.Transfer to plate with onions.

Add more butter and sauté mushrooms.

Transfer onions and carrots back to a sauté pan with mushrooms,and mix in flour.Cook for about 15 seconds.

Gradually and gently whisk in chicken broth by dribbles at first.Sauce will thicken.Add heavy whipping cream and pizza seasoning.Season with salt.Turn off the heat.

Arrange patties in a medium saucepan and pour the mushroom sauce over kotleti/patties. Let them simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes.Serve with mashed potatoes,pasta or rice.

 

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Cake Damskiy Kapriz is a multi layered Russian cake that is very delicious and moist.Three different layers consist of walnuts,dried apricots and poppy seeds.Each layer is sliced and soaked with moscato wine syrup and covered in smooth sour cream frosting or dulce de leche frosting.

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If you’re a big fan of poppy seeds then you’ll love this cake.Soft sponge cake with lightly sweetened pastry cream,dulce de leche, and of course poppy seeds.I love anything with poppy seeds especially cakes.

 

Ingredients:

 

7 eggs

 

1 cup sugar

 

1 1/4 cup sifted self rising flour or regular but add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

 

Cream:

 

Prepared pastry cream

 

2 butter sticks softened at room temperature

 

1 can cooked condensed milk ( dulce de leche)

 

1 1/2 cup poppy seeds cooked and grinded

 

1/2 cup toasted and crushed hazelnuts

 

To cook poppy seeds:

 

Place poppy seeds in a small sauce pan.Cover with water.Bring to a boil,then reduce heat to low.

 

Cook for 30 minutes,strain, and let it cool.

 

Grind poppy seeds using a meat grinder.

 

Syrup:

 

1 cup boiling water

 

3 tablespoon sugar

 

-Combine and let it cool

Directions for cake-

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Using a mixer, beat eggs with sugar until thick and pale in color.

Gradually add sifted flour and mix on low.

Pour the batter in to a lined round 9 inch baking pan(10 inch will work too)

Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown in color.

Let it cool completely.

Cream:

Whip softened butter with a mixer.Gradually add in pastry cream by 2-3 tablespoons at first 2-3 times.Reserve half of pastry cream for later.

Add cooked condensed milk and poppy seeds.Whip it on high speed for few minutes.

Assembling:

Divide sponge cake to equal 3 layers.

Spray or pour syrup on the first layer.

Spread a generous amount of poppy seed cream.

Cover with the second layer and repeat the steps.

Place the third layer on top and spread the reserved pastry cream on the top and around the sides of the cake.Add crushed hazelnuts to the sides of the cake.Decorate the top as desired.

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