Uncle Bills Pyrahi Dough Recipes

UNCLE BILL'S PYRAHI DOUGH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, measure water, add yeast,1/2 teaspoon sugar and let stand for about 10 minutes or until frothy.
• In a large mixing bowl, add warmed milk and yeast and stir gently to incorporate.
• Add beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, olive oil and mix gently.
• Add flour, 1 cup at a time mixing well after each addition.
• If dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead several times until dough is smooth.
• Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turn once to coat.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place dough in refrigerator for 4 hours or longer.
• When ready to use, remove from refrigerator and punch dough down.
• Divide dough into 24 equal pieces and roll into balls that will be the size of a golf ball.
• Roll dough out into rounds on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8" thickness.
• Place about 3 tablespoons of filling mixture of your choice in the center of each round.
• Fold the left and right side of the round towards the center, pinching the dough to crease.
• Bring the other 2 edges towards the center and pinch again to crease.
• Leave a space of about 1/4" slit in the center of the pyrahi.
• Slightly flatten the pyrahi with the palm of your hand.
• Place pyrahi on a lightly greased cookie sheet, cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Bake in preheated 400 F oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.
• Serve with melted butter and sour cream or yogurt.
• To re-warm the pyrahi, heat a frying pan on medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter, add the pyrahi, cover and fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, turn over and fry for another 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.

UNCLE BILL'S POTATO FILLING FOR PYRAHI

Steps:

• In a saucepan, add potatoes, cover with water and cook until tender.
• Drain well and mash potatoes, set aside.
• In a frying pan, melt butter.
• Add onions and garlic and saute' for 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
• In a mixing bowl, add potatoes, sautee'd onion/garlic, beaten eggs, salt and pepper and mix well.
• Use about 3 tablespoons of mixture for each Pyrahi.

UNCLE BILL'S PEA FILLING FOR PYRAHI

Steps:

• If using split green peas, add to saucepan, cover with water and cook until just tender.
• Drain and mash.
• Add sugar, salt and butter and mix well.
• Use about 3 tablespoons of mixture for each pyrahi.
• If using fresh or frozen green peas, place in a microwave safe dish, add 2 tablespoons of water and microwave on HIGH (full power) for 4 minutes or until cooked.
• Drain and mash.
• Continue preparing filling as noted above.

UNCLE BILL'S COTTAGE CHEESE PEROGIE FILLING

Steps:

• Squeeze as much liquid that you can from the dry curd cottage cheese and discard.
• In a mixing bowl, add cottage cheese, finely chopped green onions, beaten eggs, salt and pepper and mix well to blend.
• Use 1 heaping tablespoon for each perogie.
• Boil for 2 to 3 minutes or until they float to the surface.
• Serve with melted butter and sour cream if desired.
• These perogies freeze well.

UNCLE BILL'S RED KIDNEY BEAN FILLING FOR PYRAHI

Steps:

• In a saucepan, add canned beans including liquid.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and mash beans.
• Add whipping cream, sugar and salt and mix well.
• Use about 3 tablespoons of filling for each pyrahi.
• You may also use dried beans, 3 cups.
• In a saucepan, add beans, cover with water and cook until tender.
• Drain, but reserve 1 cup of liquid.
• Mash beans, add 1 cup reserved liquid, whipping cream, sugar and salt and mix well.
• You may also use other legumes of your choice.

UNCLE BILL'S FRESH BEET FILLING FOR PYRAHI

Steps:

• Wash and scrub beets, cut off the tails and the end.
• In a saucepan, add beets, just cover with water and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and cook until beets are just tender, about 30 minutes.
• Drain and immediately pour cold water over beets.
• When cool enough to handle, remove skins and discard.
• Grate beets.
• In a mixing bowl, add grated beets, sugar and salt, mix well.
• In a frying pan, melt butter, add beet mixture and saute' for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Let cool slightly before using.
• Use about 3 tablespoons of filling for each pyrahi.
• You can also use canned regular beets.
• Grate the beets and prepare them as above.