Khrustyky Recipes

KHRUSTYKY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, egg yolks, cream and vanilla. Beat in sugar. Combine flour and salt; stir into the egg mixture just until smooth (dough will be soft). Divide into 4 portions. , On a well-floured surface, roll out 1 portion to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into 1-1/2-in. strips; cut strips diagonally into 3 pieces. Cut a 1-1/2-in. slit lengthwise into the center of each piece; pull 1 end of strip through slit to make a loop. Cover shaped pieces while rolling out and cutting the remaining dough., In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet, heat 2-3 in. of oil to 375°. Fry pastries, in batches, until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

CHRUSCIKI WITH MRS. KOSTYRA

Steps:

• Put melted butter, eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, sour cream, salt, extracts, vinegar, and rum in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until mixture is pale, about 3 minutes. With mixer running, add zests. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add up to 3 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a fairly stiff dough forms.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead, dusting with flour if it seems sticky, until dough becomes smooth, soft, and elastic, about 10 minutes. Halve dough, and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Let dough rest at room temperature, 30 minutes.
• Working with 1 piece at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface until very thin (about 1/16 inch thick). Using a straightedge as a guide, cut the dough into 5-by-1 1/4-inch strips. Trim ends on the diagonal.
• Lay dough strips vertically in front of you, and cut a 1 1/4-inch-long opening through the middle of each strip. Working with one strip at a time, push one end through the cut, then pull through to make a bow-tie shape. Transfer formed chrusciki to a large parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover with a clean, slightly damp kitchen towel. Repeat process with remaining dough.
• Heat shortening in a large (6-quart) pot over medium-high heat until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Working in small batches of about 7, fry chrusciki, turning once with a slotted spoon, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Transfer fried chrusciki with slotted spoon to two paper-towel-lined baking sheets to drain. (Adjust heat between batches as necessary to keep oil at a steady temperature.)
• Just before serving, dust chrusciki with confectioners' sugar.

KHRUSTYKY (UKRANIAN PASTRY)

Steps:

• Beat the eggs and egg yolks together until light in colour.
• Beat in sugar, cream, salt, rum or brandy (or extract).
• Stir in the flour.
• This dough should be soft.
• Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Roll out small amounts of dough at a time, with LOTS of flour on your rolling surface, put flour on top of the dough and on your rolling pin.
• (this dough is very sticky otherwise).
• Roll to 1/8 inch or thinner.
• Keep the un-used dough covered to prevent drying out.
• Cut the dough into long strips, about 1 1/4 inches wide.
• Then further cut the strips into 2 1/2 or 3 inch segments, diagonally (they will look like 2 1/2 inch long and 1 1/4 inch wide diamonds.) Make a slit in the center (about 1/2 inch long in the middle, lengthwise...) Grasp the bottom tail of the Khrustyky, put it through the slit in the middle, and pull it gently back down to the bottom.
• (this will form a twist in the dough) continue to do this to each piece of dough.
• (I roll out a small portion, cut and form my Khrustyky, and set them on a plate. Once my small bit of dough that I've rolled out is all used up, I fry these in the deep fryer before moving on to another piece of dough to roll and cut).
• Deep fry a few at a time (I'm comfortable doing 7 at a time), in oil at 375 F until light brown.
• These puff up as you fry them, making a delectible treat.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Sprinkle confectioner's sugar over the drained Khrustyky.
• Enjoy!