German Fried Dough Pillow Tips Recipes

FLEISCHKUECHLE (FLESH-KEEK-LUH)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion, salt and pepper until well blended. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Pour in the eggs and milk, and stir until well blended using a sturdy spoon. Form the dough into 2 inch balls, and roll out into circles 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface.
• Form the beef into golf ball sized balls, and place each one onto one half of a dough circle. Fold the other halves of the circles over to enclose the dough. Seal the edges using a saucer or pressing with your fingers.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C), or over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet. Fry the Keuchle until golden brown, turning once. It should take about 10 minutes total for each batch.

SCHUPFNUDELN (GERMAN FRIED POTATO DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain.
• Peel cooked potatoes and place into a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher. Add eggs and flour and mix until well combined. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Use your hands to shape potato dough into oblong dumplings with two pointy ends. If the dough sticks to your hands, rinse them under cold water.
• Bring water to the boil in a large pot over high heat, then reduce temperature to a simmer. Drop small batches of the dumplings into the just simmering water. Cook until they float on the top. Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon and submerge in a bowl with cold water. Remove with a slotted spoon, put them in a colander, and drain well.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and saute Schupfnudeln until golden brown and crisp from all sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towel and keep warm until all Schupfnudeln are done.

GERMAN DUMPLINGS (SPAETZLE OR KNIFFLES) FOR SOUP OR SAUTE

Steps:

• Mix these together until sticky.
• Drop into bubbling soup or stew, broth or water. (see below for ideas).
• Dumplings will rise to the surface as they cook; remove from liquid with a slotted spoon (if sautéing in another pan); set aside in a bowl (keep warm).
• MAKE THE DUMPLINGS #1: This method results in very small, stringy-ish dumplings and is great for soups or stews. Spoon several tablespoons of batter into a colander, then with the back of the spoon--press the batter through the holes into the bubbling liquid.
• METHOD #2: This method forms larger dumpling pieces (dime & quarter size) and is great for soups or stews, too -- but especially good if you want to saute the dumplings afterwards (more on that in a minute). Using a teaspoon and butter knife, scoop up a spoonful of batter, then use the knife to cut off little dibs and dabs, using the knife to also push the dibs into the hot liquid. If the knife or spoon gets messy, just dip into the hot liquid.
• SERVING IDEAS: We love these in chicken-dumpling soup (use your regular chicken soup recipe -- skip the egg noodles and make these dumplings instead). OR scoop out the larger dumplings (Method #2), and saute in butter or olive oil along with kielbasa or other sausage and LOTS of onion ring slices. OR saute some fresh veggies, then add the dumplings -- heaven!
• VARIATIONS: Add several pinches of your favorite herbs along with the flour to enhance the soup, stew or saute dish.
• Chef's Note: Altho' this is kind of putzy, it is well worth the effort and SO different from regular pasta-noodles.

GOURMET PASTELILLOS (MEAT PIES)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, tomato sauce, olives, sofrito, sazon, garlic, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes.
• Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of meat mixture into the middle of a disco. Fold dough over, moisten edges, and press with a fork to seal. Repeat with remaining meat mixture and discos.
• Pour oil into a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Fry pastelillos until golden brown and bubbly, about 3 minutes each. Drain on paper towels before serving.

GERMAN FRIED DOUGH (PILLOW TIPS)

Steps:

• Make dough: Mix egg yolks with sour cream and add to flour. Combine until a smooth dough is formed. Rest 30 minutes.
• Roll out half the dough at a time into a large rectangle. Use a fancy fluted cutting wheel or knife to cut into rectangles or strips.
• Heat oil in heavy duty pan or wok. (3-4 ins. deep) When oil is hot, fry 3-4 pieces of dough, turning to fry both sides.
• Remove from oil and place on paper towel lined jelly-roll pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar/cinnamon.