Struklji

Preparation

1. Step 1

   To make the dough, place the hot water in a small bowl and add the butter to the water to melt. With a fork, blend in the egg and salt.

2. Step 2

   Place the flour in a separate mixing bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour in the liquid mixture. Blend and knead until the resulting dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and allow to rest in a draft-free place for about 30 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Meanwhile, prepare the filling by melting the butter in an 8-inch saucepan and browning the bread crumbs in it. Remove from the heat, add the eggs and stir until they have completely scrambled.

4. Step 4

   Combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, parsley and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the egg mixture and mix well.

5. Step 5

   Roll the dough on a lightly floured board into a rectangle about 12 inches by 18 inches. Spread the filling over the dough and roll it, starting at its long side, into a tight roll, much like a jellyroll.

6. Step 6

   Place the roll on a clean white cloth or a double thickness of cheesecloth large enough to cover it. Wrap the roll in the cloth and tie the ends with string, sausage fashion.

7. Step 7

   Coil the roll into a circle and drop it into a large pot of boiling salted water. Simmer for 40 minutes, then carefully lift it from the pot. Unwrap the roll and keep it warm.

8. Step 8

   For the topping, saute bread crumbs in butter until golden brown. Slice the struklji into pieces 2 inches thick and top with the buttered crumbs.