Method:

1. In a large frying pan, heat 2 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add onions and sauté for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from pan and set aside. 

2. Add remaining 2 tbsp. oil to pan and heat for 1 minute over medium- high heat. Add meat and cook until brown, breaking meat into small pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon. Carefully drain off fat. 

3. Place onions, meat, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend on maximum speed for 5 to 7 seconds. (If you don’t have a blender, place ingredients in a large bowl and mash well with a fork.) Set filling aside. 

4. To make dough, mix flour, salt, and egg in a medium bowl. Stir in water or milk, a little at a time, until dough is stiff. 

5. Knead dough for 2 to 4 minutes on a floured surface. You may need to add more flour if dough is too sticky. Roll out dough to ∏ -inch thickness with a rolling pin. With a glass or a circular cookie cutter, cut out rounds of dough about 3 inches in diameter. 

5. Preheat oven to 200°C 

6. Put 1 tbsp. filling on one half of a dough circle. Lightly dampen edges of dough with a little water. Fold dough over filling and press edges together first with your fingers, then with the tines of a fork. Repeat with remaining filling and dough. 

7. Place pirozhki on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. If desired, brush lightly with melted butter. Serve at room temperature.