Mordovian "Bear's Paw"
4 servings
60 minutes
Mordovian 'Bear's Paw' is a hearty and aromatic dish that embodies the warmth of home cooking. It combines the simplicity of ingredients with a deep flavor characteristic of Bashkir cuisine. Potatoes infused with spices envelop juicy pieces of pork, creating an appetizing crispy crust. Baked under a layer of melted cheese, this delicacy gains softness and richness in taste. Historically, this dish may have originated as a way to combine meat and vegetables in a single nutritious format convenient for home cooking. Suitable for both family dinners and festive feasts, it pairs wonderfully with vegetable salads and spicy sauces. Its rich aroma and textural variety make 'Bear's Paw' not only delicious but also a memorable gastronomic find.
1
Clean and wash the potatoes. Then pour a little cold water into a shallow bowl and start grating the potatoes on a coarse grater. The water is needed to prevent the potatoes from turning black. We leave the potatoes in the water to release all the unnecessary starch.
- Potato: 500 g
- Salt: to taste
2
At this time, we will deal with the meat. We wash it well under cold running water and cut it into wide, thick pieces. Then we beat it well with a mallet. The beaten meat needs to be salted, sprinkled with special spices, and rubbed with pre-squeezed garlic.
- Pork: 350 g
- Salt: to taste
- Spices for meat: to taste
- Garlic: 4 cloves
3
Grate the potatoes into a colander to drain excess liquid, then squeeze out the remaining starch by hand and transfer to a bowl, add two eggs, a little salt, pepper, and mix thoroughly.
- Potato: 500 g
- Chicken egg: 3 pieces
- Salt: to taste
4
Beat the remaining egg in a shallow bowl with a fork and add a little salt.
- Chicken egg: 3 pieces
- Salt: to taste
5
We take a flat plate and place potatoes on it. We dip a piece of meat in beaten egg and place it on top, then add more potatoes on top.
- Potato: 500 g
- Pork: 350 g
- Chicken egg: 3 pieces
6
Heat the pan over medium heat, pour in some vegetable oil, and carefully roll our 'paw' from the plate. Fry on both sides until a golden crust forms. Prepare all 'bear paws' in the same way.
- Vegetable oil: 4 tablespoons
7
At this time, we preheat the oven to 180 degrees. We line the baking tray with parchment paper and place the prepared 'paws' on it. We sprinkle grated cheese on top and send it to the oven for 15 minutes (maximum - 20).
- Hard cheese: 120 g