Kurnik

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Kurnik is a festive variety of traditional Russian pirog —a pie made from various types of dough that is filled with either sweet or savory ingredients. This special variety consists of a pastry shell that is shaped into a large dome and comes filled with layers of meat (typically chicken, which is suggested by its name - kuritsa means hen in Russian), eggs, rice, kasha, mushrooms, and other additional ingredients. Often said to symbolize fertility and stability, kurnik is an old, traditional dish that was mainly reserved for royalty and served at wedding feasts. In the past, the layers were separated by blini pancakes, and the pie was usually intricately decorated with pieces of dough. Kurnik is usually served with a sauce of choice or as a side dish with soup.