Verenika (Or Verenki) Casserole

Chef #258223's Note:

This is a fast version of regular verenika, which is individual dumplings filled with a cottage cheese mixture, boiled, then fried, and then served with a ham gravy. But it has the flavor of the original verenika dish. Once a year, regular verenika is served at our MCC sale to raise funds for the Mennonite Central Committee. I got the recipe from our church cookbook and have changed it just a little.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 10 -12 ounces Reames frozen noodles , cooked and drained
• 1 (24 ounce) carton cottage cheese , -rinsed and drained
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ lb of chopped ham
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 2 cups country cream gravy (i have made this by using a package of pioneer brand gravy mix or by making a white sauce. see recip) or 2 cups white sauce (i have made this by using a package of pioneer brand gravy mix or by making a white sauce. see recip)

Directions:

1. Boil frozen egg noodles as per package directions, drain and place in bottom of greased casserole dish - I use 9 x 11 inch pan.
2. Mix drained cottage cheese with the two eggs, salt and pepper.
3. Layer over the noodles.
4. Add spooonfuls of sour cream over the top of the casserole.
5. Saute chopped onions and ham until onions are tender.
6. Stir in to the cream gravy and pour on top of the casserole.
7. Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes.