RASSTEGAI – THE RUSSIAN PIE

When discussing Russian cuisine, it is inevitable that the conversation will turn to dishes such as Borscht with Smetana, a spicy sour soup with beet as main ingredient, served with sour cream, or Blini, ‘n thin Russian pancake, traditionally served with red caviar and Pierogie, that delicious dumpling filled with savoury or sweet fillings and cooked in boiling water.

However, one of the most popular dishes in Russia, is the famous Rasstegai. Rasstegai was one of the most popular types of pies in Russian homes and inns during the tsarist times. Innkeepers in St. Petersburg and Moscow competed with each for the right to call their rasstegai the best.

Vladimir Gilyarovski wrote about the rasstegai in “Moscow and the Muscovites”, his encyclopedia of Russian life at the turn of 20th century: “This is a round, pie stuffed with minced fish and notochord [the nerve chord of a sturgeon] which takes up the whole plate, the middle is open and in there on a slice of sturgeon is a piece of burbot liver. A gravy for the pie was served for free in the boat…”

Rasstegai are often served with soup. Traditionally a fish rasstegai is served with ukha (fish broth) and a meat rasstegai with a meat soup, while rasstegai with rice, carrots and egg may be served with any soup.

RASSTEGAI (TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN FISH PIE)

Ingredients for the pastry
400 grams flour
1 Tbsp of fresh yeast or 2 tsp of dry yeast
170 ml milk
2 eggs
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp sugar
A pinch of salt
1 egg for the egg wash
Ingredients for the filling
500 grams salmon fillet (or another type of fish) I used 3 tins of shredded Tuna)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp cream or milk
½ onion
1 bunch of parsley
A pinch of salt and pepper

First prepare the dough. Gently heat the milk and dissolve the yeast in it, add the sugar, 100g of flour, stir and leave to sit in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Add the egg, salt and softened butter to the resulting mixture and mix well.
Sift the remaining flour, make a well in it and put the dough in the indentation. Then, carefully knead the dough, roll it into a ball, place into a bowl, cover it with cling film or a linen towel and leave it for an hour in a warm place. After about 30 minutes, knock down the dough to remove the air.
While the dough is rising, prepare the stuffing. Cut the fish into small cubes or thin strips. Finely chop the onion and fry it in butter until golden brown. Mix the fish with the onions, add the milk, finely chopped parsley and the salt and pepper.
Form the dough into balls and then roll them into flat rounds (the size can vary according to your preference. Place the stuffing into the center. Pinch the edges of the pastry together, making a boat shape. Leave a small hole in the middle.
Cover a baking sheet with parchment and brush butter over it. Place the rasstegai on the sheet and brush with beaten egg. Bake for 25 minutes at 175 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit).
Serve your rasstegai with fish broth, pouring the broth into the hole in the middle of the pie right before eating.

Photo: Adam Cloete
Source: https://www.rbth.com/russian_kitchen/2016/02/28/rasstegai-the-pie-proudly-served-by-moscow-innkeepers_571509