Pirozhki with Fatback
Description
Perfect with tea and coffee. I travel to Latvia quite often on business, and my favorite grab-and-go food in Riga is bacon pies. They’re very popular there—you’ll find them in every supermarket, and of course in small bakeries and pastry shops too. If you manage to catch the moment when they put freshly baked, still-warm bacon pies on the counter, there’s no better snack for me than those pies and a glass of kefir :) They really are delicious, especially when served fresh. It’s worth trying to make them at home—the bacon pie recipe is very simple and straightforward. Good luck with your cooking. Can be served with tea or coffee.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Take half a cup of warm milk, dissolve the yeast, sugar, and a minimal amount (1–2 teaspoons) of flour in it. Let stand for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- 2
Step 2
Sift the flour into a large bowl and add the risen sponge.
- 3
Step 3
Also add the remaining warm milk.
- 4
Step 4
Add melted butter to the same bowl as well.
- 5
Step 5
Add the sour cream and salt to the same bowl.
- 6
Step 6
Knead the dough. Leave it to rise — an hour in a warm place is enough.
- 7
Step 7
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: sauté finely chopped onion and bacon in a pan without oil until the onion is translucent. Add pepper to taste and set aside.
- 8
Step 8
After the allotted hour, knead the risen dough lightly by hand once more and let it rest for another 10–15 minutes.
- 9
Step 9
Place the dough on a flour-dusted work surface and shape it into a ball.
- 10
Step 10
Roll out the dough into a sheet about 3 mm thick. Use a glass to cut circles from the dough (the diameter of the circles depends on how large you want the pies—the larger the pies, the larger the circles).
- 11
Step 11
Place a little filling on each cut-out circle.
- 12
Step 12
Fold the pies in half.
- 13
Step 13
Pinch the edges together.
- 14
Step 14
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pies on the baking sheet seam side down.
- 15
Step 15
Brush with beaten egg.
- 16
Step 16
Bake for approximately 35–40 minutes at 200°C.
- 17
Step 17
When the pies are done, it is best to place them in a large dish and cover with a towel so they can steam and become softer. Fatback pies can be served warm or at room temperature.