Ulpershek - Traditional Kazakh Meat Dumplings

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef or lamb 1 pound (450g) ground beef or lamb
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Sour cream or melted butter, for serving Sour cream or melted butter, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 15g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add warm water while kneading until a smooth dough forms. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the ground beef or lamb, chopped onion, black pepper, cumin, paprika, and salt until well combined.
3. 3.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut out circles using a round cookie cutter or a glass.
4. 4.
   Place a small spoonful of the meat mixture in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal, creating a half-moon shape.
5. 5.
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
6. 6.
   Using a slotted spoon, remove the cooked dumplings from the water and transfer them to a serving dish.
7. 7.
   Serve the Ulpershek hot, accompanied by a dollop of sour cream or melted butter.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef or lamb — Choose lean cuts of meat for a healthier option. If desired, you can also mix both beef and lamb for a more complex flavor.
• Onion — Make sure to finely chop the onion to ensure it blends well with the meat mixture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes to the meat mixture.
• Experiment with different spices such as coriander or turmeric to customize the flavor.
• To save time, you can use store-bought dumpling wrappers instead of making the dough from scratch.
• Freeze any leftover dumplings for future meals. Just place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer bag.

Serving advice

Serve Ulpershek as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or steamed vegetables. The dumplings can also be enjoyed as an appetizer or snack.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Ulpershek dumplings on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or dill. Drizzle melted butter or sour cream over the dumplings for an appetizing presentation.