Budget-friendly meals from just a few ingredients

Recipe 1: Cottage Cheese Dumplings

Ingredients

• 400 grams (about 3 ¼ cups) semolina
• 200 grams (about 1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 600 milliliters (about 2 ½ cups) warm water
• 400 grams (about 1 ¾ cups) cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons sugar (for filling)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the semolina, flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and warm water. Mix well until a soft dough forms. Let this dough rest for about 30 minutes; this allows the yeast to activate and the dough to become easier to work with.
2. After the resting period, divide the dough into small equal portions, about the size of a golf ball.
3. On a lightly floured surface, flatten each portion into a small circle. Place a spoonful of cottage cheese mixed with the 2 tablespoons of sugar in the center of each circle.
4. Carefully fold the dough over the filling, sealing the edges well to prevent leakage during cooking. Shape them into dumpling forms.
5. Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat. Place the dumplings in the pan and fry until they’re golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Serve these dumplings warm, perhaps with a sprinkling of sugar on top or a dollop of yogurt for extra creaminess!

Tips

• If you find the dough too sticky, add a bit more flour as needed.
• Keep the heat moderate; too high and the dumplings might burn before they’re fully cooked.
• You can prepare the filling ahead of time, making the dumplings a quick meal to assemble later.

Recipe 2: Chocolate Semolina Cake

Ingredients

• 400 grams (about 3 ¼ cups) semolina
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• 2 cups (about 480 ml) yogurt or kefir
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 200 grams (about 1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• Additional vegetable oil for greasing.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish with a bit of vegetable oil to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the semolina, sugar, yogurt or kefir, vegetable oil, flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder until everything is well combined and the batter is smooth.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and enjoy!

Tips

• For added richness, consider folding in some mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
• This cake is also delicious served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate glaze.
• Make sure not to overmix the batter as it can lead to a denser cake.

These two recipes are not only practical, but they also make use of simple ingredients that are often on hand. They’re great for those evenings when you want comforting home-cooked food without too much fuss. Enjoy creating these delightful dishes that can be cherished by the whole family!