Buuzy (Traditional Buryat dish)

6 servings

120 minutes

Buuzas are a traditional Buryat dish resembling large juicy dumplings with an open top. Their history originates from nomadic peoples where steaming preserved the meat's juiciness. The filling of beef and pork provides a rich meaty flavor, while the tender dough perfectly retains the juice, making each bite succulent and aromatic. The thin shaping with 33 pleats is not just a tradition but an art that conveys the craftsmanship of generations. Buuzas are served hot, seasoned with soy sauce or fresh herbs; they are excellent as a standalone dish or part of a feast. Their juiciness and rich flavor make them not only filling but also surprisingly cozy, like a warm embrace of Buryat cuisine.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 567.9
• Proteins: 30g
• Fats: 21.1g
• Carbohydrates: 64.6g

Ingredients

• Wheat flour: 500 g
• Ground beef: 500 g
• Onion: 1 head
• Water: 300 ml
• Chicken egg: 1 pc
• Salt: 2 tsp
• Ground black pepper: pinch
• Pork: 200 g

Cooking steps

1. First, you need to prepare the minced meat. Traditionally, minced meat is made from beef and pork (the pork should be fatty), as pork adds juiciness to the dish. Pass the beef, pork, and onion through a meat grinder, add salt (about 2 teaspoons, to taste), pepper (2-3 pinches, but not too much), and a little water, about 1-2 tablespoons. Mix everything and leave it until you prepare the dough.

   Required ingredients:

   • Ground beef: 500 g
   • Pork: 200 g
   • Onion: 1 head
   • Salt: 2 teaspoons
   • Ground black pepper:  pinch
   • Water: 300 ml

2. Then you need to prepare the dough, but it shouldn't be too hard as it may lose its shape during shaping. Pour the flour onto the table (or into a large bowl), make a well and pour in 1 egg. You can add a pinch of salt and then a cup or slightly less of water. Then knead the dough by hand until it becomes soft yet elastic (about 15 minutes).

   Required ingredients:

   • Wheat flour: 500 g
   • Chicken egg: 1 piece
   • Salt: 2 teaspoons
   • Water: 300 ml

3. Next, form a sausage from the dough and divide it into small pieces. From these pieces, form balls and roll them out (about 8–9 centimeters in diameter).

4. In the rolled pieces of dough, you need to place about 1 tablespoon of filling and start pinching around. An ideal buuza should have 33 pinches.

   Required ingredients:

   • Ground beef: 500 g

5. Place the buuzas in the steamer, greasing the bottom part with oil, and cook for 15-20 minutes. After 20 minutes, you can enjoy this dish.

   Required ingredients:

   • Wheat flour: 500 g