Verenika With Ham Gravy

Here's another recipe that no one on this web site seems to have heard of, but I'm sure probably know another name for it. I think it's delicious! Hope you like it!!:)

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 30

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups dry curd cottage cheese
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄3 cup  nonfat dry milk powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs
• 3⁄4 cup water
• 4  teaspoons  vegetable oil
• 3  tablespoons butter
• 1  cup  cubed ham
• 3  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 1⁄2 cups  warm milk

Directions

1. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, 2 eggs and ground black pepper to taste. Cover and blend until smooth, or beat with an electric mixer until smooth; Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, stir together flour, milk powder, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a small bowl, beat together 2 eggs, water and oil; combine with flour mixture.
3. On a floured surface, knead dough about 10 times or until smooth. Divide dough in half and roll out each portion to a 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 4 inch round cutter, cut out rounds of dough.
4. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle. Moisten the edge and fold over to form a half moon shape; pinch to seal.
5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add half of the dumplings and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender; remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Repeat with remaining dumplings.
6. While the dumplings are cooking, prepare the gravy. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Stir in ham, and cook until ham is light brown. Add 3 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir. Pour in milk all at once, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Serve over the dumplings.