Vareniki with potato filling/Вареники с картошкой

 Vareniki with potatoes are very popular in Russian/Ukranian kitchens. They are half moon shaped dumplings with a mashed potato and fried onion filling,cooked in water,strained and drizzled with melted butter.Adding mushrooms to the potatoes or on top of cooked vareniki is an option.

dough:
2/3 cups milk or buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tsp salt
7 cups plus 6 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour

Combine and whisk together milk,eggs,salt and water. add 4 cups flour and using a dough hook,mix it until well combined. then add 1 cup at a time for the rest of the three cups. If the dough is still sticky add flour 1 tablespoon at a time and continue mixing or about 3-5 minutes.place is under a bowl or plastic wrap.

Potato filling:
6 potatoes,peeled,cooked and mashed
1 big or 2 small onions finely chopped
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons oil
salt and pepper

On med-high heat,melt the butter with oil.
Transfer the onions to the pan.
Cook the onions until soft and golden in color.
Add salt and pepper.
Transfer the onions to mashed potatoes and mix well.

Directions:
Cut the dough into 6 pieces. With one piece at a time make a thin log. Cut the log into about 1/2 inch pieces. Dust the rolling pin and the surface with flour. Press down the pieces into a plate with flour (both sides,making a round shape.)
Roll the pieces in to a 1/8 thick rounds.Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the middle and fold it making a semi circle the looks like a smile or half man.Place vareneki on well floured pan.*

*You can freeze them for later use.

To Cook:
Bring a pot of water to a boil.Add salt and drop vareniki one at a time.Mix carefully. Cook uncovered until vareneki will rise to the top. Cook for another 3 minutes.Drain the water.
Pour lots of melted butter or mushrooms cooked in butter(about 2 sticks of butter and 8 oz. sliced mushrooms) over the vareniki. It’s delicious when served with sour cream.