Pelmeni are said to be "the heart of Russian cuisine." They are dumplings that consist of a filling wrapped in thin, unleavened dough. The debate about the exact place of origin is still active, with Ural and Siberia both being strong candidates. There is more to pelmeni than just a piece of minced meat wrapped in dough and boiled in water. Pelmeni can be boiled, yes, but also fried, and mixed with sour cream, ketchup or vinegar.