Verenika

Instructions

• Combine cottage cheese, 2 eggs, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth; set filling aside.
• Stir together flour, milk powder, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Beat together 2 eggs, water, and oil in a small bowl; combine with flour mixture until smooth.
• Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth, about 10 times. Divide dough in half and roll out each portion to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out rounds of dough with a 4-inch round cutter.
• Place 1 tablespoon cottage cheese filling in the center of each dough round. Moisten the edges and fold over to form a half-moon shape; pinch to seal.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1/2 of the dumplings and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Cook remaining dumplings.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in ham; cook until ham is light brown. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Pour in milk all at once; cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Serve gravy over dumplings.