What is Vatrushka?
often considered refreshments, Vatrushka is Eastern European pastry similar to Danish. Vatrushky are usually made of sweet dough and contain cheese or fruit. In the country of Georgia, this pastry is referred to as khachapuri .
flour bread is used to make dough vatrushka. It can be used white, rye or wheat flour, but various flour changes the taste of the finished pastry. In addition to flour, sugar, eggs, butter and salt are also added. Yeast is often included, although baking soda and vinegar are used in some versions. Milk or sour cream is also added to the dough.
The filling usually consists of some type of sweet cheese. Russian farmer cheese, called creator , is often used, but instead can be used cottage, Greek yogurt or even combinations or feta and mozzarella. The cheese is often mixed with sugar and raisins or other fruits can be added as well. Black olives, onions or peppers can be included in the filling for less sweet versions.
To combine the dough of vatrushka, milk and warm water with yeast and letting sit. Then the flour, sugar, salt and eggs are added and the mixture is kneaded into the dough. After the dough is formed, it is earmarked to rise and double its size. If yeast is not used, eggs are whipped with sugar and then added flour, vinegar and edible soda, as well as sour cream and melted butter.
The filling is usually done by mixing eggs and sugar with cheese. Sugar can be omitted depending on the sweetness required. Fruits or vegetables are chopped and combined with cheese mixture.
Once the dough is completed, it is cut into smaller portions and rolled or formed into round or elongated shapes. Then a low depression is made in the center of each shape and the filling is a depression. Alternatively, the dough can be inverted to flat pieces and a filling placed inside the dough. Then the dough is folded after oregions and creates a pocket where the filling is still visible.
6 This step is mostly aesthetic because it produces deep, even coloring on the finished pastry. Vatrushka is then baked, resulting in light, but rich, refreshments.