sour cherry vareniki

in conversational russian we're supposed to conversate about a new topic every week, but somehow we've been talking about russian food for three weeks now. everyone is very passionate about naming yet another very traditional dish and the real way to make it. this week nelly turned her entire desk into an imaginary counter and demonstrated how to roll out and pinch the dough for herring pie according to her babushka's recipe. long discussion on the best places to buy sourdough for a good price in los angeles (the armenian bakery at sunset and serrano). at this point i think i'm an expert on national dishes and i swear to god the ingredients for every one are always described as, oh, potatoes...meat...mushrooms...dill...beets...carrots...sour cream