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NEW Mary V's RECIPE Pasta Salad 1. Cook the Pasta: - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. - Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. - Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely. 2. Prepare the Dressing: - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined. 3. Assemble the Salad: - In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives (if used), feta cheese (if used), and parsley. - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, making sure all the ingredients are well coated. 4. Chill: - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. 5. Serve: - Give the salad a final toss before serving, and adjust seasoning if needed. THE MOST POPULAR Mary V's RECIPE Pirozhki with cabbage PREPARE THE DOUGH: 1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cup flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. 3. Let rest around 10 minutes. 4. Melt a butter in a sauce pan. Add butter to the dough. Mix everything together to form a dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. 5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size. CABBAGE FILLING: 6. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped cabbage and sauté about 2-3 minutes. 7. Add the salt. Sauté for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and slightly caramelized. 8. Remove the filling from the heat and let it cool. ASSEMBLE THE PIROZHKI: 9. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 10. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into small portions (about the size of a golf ball). 11. Roll each dough portion into a small circle, about 4-5 inches in diameter. 12. Place a spoonful of the cabbage filling in the center of each dough circle. 13. Fold the dough over the filling to create an oval shape and pinch the edges to seal the pirozhki. 14. Place the assembled pirozhki on the prepared baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with ready pirozhki with a kitchen towel and let to rest about 30-40 min. BAKE: 15. Preheat your oven (gas) to 395°F. 16. Brush the tops of the pirozhki with a beaten 1 egg + 1/4 cold milk for a golden finish (optional). 17. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-23 minutes or until the pirozhki are golden brown. 18. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. |