Russian Lentil-Mushroom Savory Pie Recipe - Chechevitsy i Gribnoy Pirog

"This Russian lentil-mushroom savory pie recipe is known as chechevitsy i gribnoy pirog (чечевицы и грибной пирог). Russians are fond of combining grains like lentils, barley and kasha with mushrooms and this is just one example. A pirog often takes pride of place on a zakuski table, but it can also be served as a main course. A Russian pirog is not the same thing as Polish pierogi, although they are both made with dough encasing a sweet or savory filling. A Russian pirog can be made from yeast-raised dough, shortcrust or puff pastry. It can be filled with meat, fish, cheese, cabbage, potato, grains, vegetables, fruits like apples, plums and berries. A pirog can be open face or closed in a round, oblong or rectangular shape. The plural of pirog is pyrogi and they come in a limitless variety. I use a cream-cheese-based dough which is becoming increeasingly common in Eastern Europe. It must be refrigerated at least 8 hours before rolling, so plan accordingly. Here is a larger photo of Russian Lentil-Mushroom Pirog...."