Kurnik is an original Russian multilayer cake with savory filling. The first mention of it dates back to the 16th century. Of course, from that moment the recipe for its preparation has undergone some changes, but this does not prevent him from remaining as tasty and satisfying as many centuries ago. In today's article we will tell you what a chicken coop is and how to bake it.
General information
Kurnik is a multi-tiered round pie with chicken, pancakes and mushrooms. Previously, it was prepared for especially important holidays like Easter, Trinity or weddings. He was considered a symbol of good luck, prosperity and wealth. As for the name of this baking, according to one version it is believed that it came from a filling of chicken meat. According to another, no less plausible theory, the name comes from the appearance of the cake, which is vaguely reminiscent of a round Cossack chicken. This similarity was enhanced by the fact that a small hole was made in the center of the pie through which a trickle of steam came out.
Having figured out what a kurnik is, you need to talk about the features of its preparation. Today, this cake is baked according to several recipes. It is made on the basis of puff, fresh, yeast, creamy, kefir or sour cream dough. As for the filling, here there are many interesting variations. The main component of the filler of this pie is chicken. It is supplemented with sauerkraut, potatoes, fried onions, nuts, mushrooms, vegetables, eggs or cereals.
Classic option
The recipe for a chicken coop involves the use of a fairly wide range of products. Therefore, check in advance whether you have at hand:
- 400 grams of white baking flour;
- ½ standard packet of butter;
- fresh egg;
- ¼ cup of cow's milk;
- 3 large spoons of sour cream;
- a pinch of soda.
All this is necessary in order to knead the dough from which the chicken will be prepared. The classic recipe for this pie also suggests the presence of pancakes. To bake them you will have to write in your list:
- fresh egg;
- 350 milliliters of pasteurized milk;
- 5 large spoons of premium baking flour;
- sugar and salt (to taste).
As for the unsweetened filling, its composition includes:
- whole chicken;
- 400 grams of fresh mushrooms;
- 2 onions.
- 200 grams of boiled buckwheat;
- 2 eggs;
- salt, herbs and spices (to taste).
Action algorithm
Having figured out what a kurnik is, you need to understand how to cook it correctly. We’ll immediately warn you that creating this cake is a complex process that takes a lot of time. To simplify such a difficult task, it can be divided into several stages. First you need to do the test. For its preparation, all the required ingredients are combined in one bowl, carefully knead them. The resulting mass is divided into two unequal parts, each of them is rolled into thin round layers.
Now you can do pancakes. To create them in a deep bowl mix all the necessary components, trying to get rid of lumps. Six or eight pancakes are baked from the resulting batter.
The next step should be the preparation of the filling. To do this, in one bowl, boiled buckwheat with chopped sauteed onions is combined. In the other - fried mushrooms and chopped eggs, in the third - pieces of boiled chicken, three tablespoons of broth and spices.
Now that all the components have been prepared, you can start assembling the product. At the bottom of the form lined with parchment, lay out a smaller layer of dough. Distribute buckwheat from above and cover it with pancake. Chicken meat is placed on it. The pancake is again laid on top and covered with mushroom filling. Layers alternate in the same sequence until all components are used. Then all this is covered with a large layer of dough and greased with whipped yolk. In the center of the future pie, make a small hole for steam to escape and send to bake. Prepare a traditional kurnik in the oven, heated to 200 degrees, for half an hour.
Option on kefir
This interesting recipe is slightly different from the previous one. To play it, you do not have to bake pancakes, and pickles will need to be added to the filling. Before you begin the process, see if there are any in your home:
- 400-500 grams of premium baking flour;
- a glass of kefir;
- 2 eggs;
- ½ teaspoon of soda;
- 75 grams of butter;
- pickle;
- 600 grams of chicken;
- 50 g of buckwheat;
- salt and vegetable oil.
Process description
First you should do the test, from which the kefir will be baked. To prepare it in a deep container combine flour, soft butter and soda. All this is well rubbed by hand, and then mixed with one egg, salt and warm kefir. The finished dough is wrapped in polyethylene and hidden in the refrigerator.
Now you can start creating the filling. For this, the washed and dried chicken meat is cut into small pieces, fried in preheated vegetable fat along with chopped onions. Then, grated cucumber and boiled buckwheat are added to it.
After that, you can start assembling the kurnik on kefir. Chilled dough is divided into three unequal parts. Two of them roll out in thin circles. From the third they make the decor in the form of flagella. One of the round layers is laid out in a parchment lined form. Distribute the filling on top, cover it with the remaining dough. The product is decorated with tows, greased with egg yolk and put into the oven. A delicious chicken coop is prepared at 200-220 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
Sour cream option
We suggest you pay attention to one more interesting and simple recipe for making unsweetened Russian pie. It is extremely simple, does not require expensive products. All you need:
- 200 grams of margarine;
- fresh egg;
- 200 grams of 25% sour cream;
- a teaspoon of soda;
- 300 grams of premium baking flour;
- chicken breast;
- large onion;
- salt (to taste);
- vegetable oil (for frying).
Cooking technology
Now that you know what a kurnik is, you need to understand the steps of creating it according to a simplified recipe. The first thing to do is test. To do this, add soda to sour cream. A few minutes later, melted but not hot margarine and egg are sent there. All this is mixed with flour, divided into two unequal parts and hidden for an hour in the refrigerator.
In order not to waste time, you can do the filling. To do this, put pieces of chicken and chopped onions in a pan greased with warmed vegetable fat. All this is salted and fried until tender.
At the last stage, you can do the assembly of the kurnik on sour cream. To do this, chilled dough is rolled out in thin circles. One of the resulting formations is placed in a mold and coated with a filling. Top the cake with the remaining dough, in the center of which a small hole is made. Bake it at 180 degrees for 40 minutes.
Puff based option
Using the method described below, you can relatively quickly prepare a fragrant and hearty pie. The puff chicken recipe involves the use of purchased dough, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the process. To play it you need:
- a pound of puff pastry;
- 300 grams of chicken and wild boiled and frozen mushrooms;
- ½ cup rice;
- 3 hard boiled eggs;
- large onion;
- 3 pancakes;
- the yolk of one egg (for lubrication);
- green onions, salt, spices and vegetable oil.
Since this time you do not need to engage in kneading the dough, you can immediately start creating the filling. In preheated vegetable fat, pieces of chicken are fried. Thawed mushrooms are browned in a separate skillet. Chopped green onions, pre-cooked rice and chopped eggs are mixed in a separate bowl.
Thawed dough is divided into two unequal parts. A large piece is rolled out in a round layer and sent to a refractory form. Place a pancake on top. Rice filling is placed on it. They cover it all with another pancake. Chicken meat is distributed on it. Top with pancake and mushrooms. The last layer should be the remaining dough. The cake is greased with whipped yolk and sent for heat treatment. Prepare it at 220-230 degrees for about 20-30 minutes.