Title: Varenyky (ukrainian filled dumplings)
 Categories: Vegetables, Russian
      Yield: 8 Servings
 
MMMMM------------------------NOODLE DOUGH-----------------------------
      4 c  Flour
           Salt
      4 lg Egg yolk
      2 T  Oil
     14 T  ;Water
      4 lg Egg white; lightly beaten
      8 T  Butter, sweet

MMMMM-----------------------POTATO FILLING----------------------------
      6 T  Butter, sweet
      1 md Onion; finely chopped
      3 lg Potato; peel/boil/mashed
    1/4 lb Farmer's cheese
      2 oz Colby; grated
           Salt & pepper; to taste

MMMMM---------------------SAUERKRAUT FILLING--------------------------
      3 sl Bacon; diced
      1 lg Onion; chopped
  3 1/2 c  Sauerkraut, packaged*
  1 1/2 T  Tomato paste
      2 ts Sugar
    1/3 c  Chicken broth
 
  *Rinse kraut and squeeze thoroughly dry.
  
  Dumplings:  In a food processor, blend the flour and 1/2 teaspoon
  salt. With the motor running, add the egg yolks and the oil through
  the feed tube, then pour in the water, in a slow, steady stream,
  until the dough forms a ball around the blade.  Transfer the dough to
  a floured surface and knead until smooth, about two minutes.  Cover
  with a linen or cotton (not terry) kitchen towel and let stand half
  an hour.
  
  Divide the dough in half and shape into two balls.  Keep one ball
  covered with the towel.  On a floured surface with a floured rolling
  pin, roll out the dough to a very thin sheet, about 1/16" thick,
  making sure it doesn't tear.  With a round cookie cutter, cut out
  circles about 3" in diameter. Gather the scraps together into a ball
  and set aside, covered.
  
  Have a bowl with the egg white by you.  Place a heaping teaspoon of
  the desired filling in the middle of each circle.  Fold the dough
  over the filling to form a semi-circle.  Brush the edges with the egg
  white and press the edges firmly together with the tines of a fork to
  seal. Place the vareniki as they are made on a lightly floured large
  baking sheet about 1" apart and keep covered with a damp tea towel.
  When finished with the first batch, roll out the second ball of dough
  and make a second batch. Add the leftover scraps of dough to the
  scraps left from the first batch, knead into a ball, and roll out for
  a final batch of varenyky.
  
  Meanwhile, in a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil.
  Reduce the heat to medium so the water simmers and carefully lower
  half the varenyky into the water.  Boil, stirring occasionally with a
  wooden spoon to prevent sticking, until they rise to the surface and
  are cooked through, six to seven minutes.  With a slotted spoon,
  carefully remove the varenyky to a colander and drain thoroughly.
  Transfer to a deep serving bowl and toss with half the butter. Repeat
  for the second half of the varenyky.
  
  Potato filling:  Melt the butter in a small skilled over medium heat.
  Add the onion and saut#, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned,
  about 15 minutes.  Remvoe from heat and cool slightly.  In a large
  bowl, combine the potatoes and cheese.  Add the saut#ed onion along
  with the melted butter and mix well.  Season with salt and pepper and
  use for filling the varenyky.
  
  Sauerkraut filling:  Saut# the bacon in a large skillet over medium
  heat until it renders its fat.  Remove the bacon and reserve.  Drain
  off all but two tablespoons fat.  Add the onion to the skillet and
  saut#, stirring frequentlly over medium heat until nicely browned,
  almost 15 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the kraut,
  and saut#, stirring, until softened and cooked throughout, 10 to 15
  minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, sugar, and broth.  Reduce the heat
  to low, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from the heat
  and cool to room temperature before using to fill the varenyky. Use
  the reserved bacon as topping.