Chuchvara
Chuchvara is the Uzbek version of the dumplings found in a broad family of dishes stretching from Russian pelmeni to Central Asian manti, evidence of the culinary exchanges along the Silk Road. Each dumpling's small size, usually no larger than a coin, distinguishes it from manti, which are much larger and steamed. In Uzbek families, preparing chuchvara is often a collective activity: women gather to fold hundreds of small dumplings for a celebration or family reunion, turning a laborious task into a moment of socializing. The clear broth in which they are boiled, often seasoned with vinegar and red pepper, perfectly complements the delicate taste of the meat filling.
Small filled dumplings
Tiny pieces of dough, filled with ground meat, resemble Siberian pelmeni.
Meat and onion filling
Ground beef is mixed with grated onion for juiciness.
Boiled in clear broth
The dumplings simmer directly in meat broth, flavored with herbs.
Served with sour cream
A spoonful of sour cream or yogurt completes the steaming bowl.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 400g flour
- 1 egg
- 150ml water
- 1/2 tsp salt for the dough
- 300g ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely grated
- 1.5L clear beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream and chopped dill, for serving
How to make it
- 1Mix the flour with the egg, water and salt, kneading a firm, elastic dough for 10 minutes.
- 2Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- 3Mix the ground meat with the grated onion, salt and pepper, obtaining a juicy, homogeneous filling.
- 4Roll out the dough very thin and cut into small squares of about 4cm.
- 5Place a little filling on each square, then fold the corners to form small dumplings, pinching the two opposite corners together for the traditional shape.
- 6Bring the beef broth to a boil, then carefully add the dumplings, boiling them for 7-8 minutes, until they rise to the surface and the dough turns translucent.
- 7Taste the broth and adjust with salt and pepper to preference.
- 8Serve hot, in bowls, with a spoonful of sour cream and chopped dill sprinkled on top.
Nutritional info
per serving (~400 ml)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
