Kuechla Recipes

FLEISH KUECHLE

Steps:

• 1. Mix pastry ingredients to make a soft dough. Divide into 8 to 10 even portions.
• 2. Mix filling ingredients together. Important to not overwork the filling as this will result in a tough filling mixture.
• 3. Roll dough into 6 or 8 inch circles. Spread meat onto half. Fold over and press sides or roll saucer over edges to seal. Fry in deep fat until golden brown; not too quickly because meat must get done or you can fry them and put in 250 degree oven for 20 minutes to finish cooking the meat. ** Using the Tender Quick (meat tenderizer) may result in the meat taking on a lighter pink color. Do not be alarmed, by this. By using pork and beef, it is essential that one uses the Tender Quick to keep the meat filling light.)
• 4. At the restaurant, and in many restaurants throughout North Dakota, where you may find this as a staple menu item, they are most often served with catsup and a side of coleslaw! Enjoy!

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.

CHILE-GARLIC KULCHA

Steps:

• Whisk ¼ cup plain whole-milk yogurt, 2 Tbsp. lukewarm whole milk, 1 Tbsp. ghee or clarified butter, melted, ½ tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ½ cup lukewarm water in a small bowl to combine.
• Whisk ½ tsp. baking powder, ¼ tsp. baking soda, and 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour in the bowl of a stand mixer to combine. Fit bowl onto mixer fitted with the dough hook. With the motor running on medium speed, pour in yogurt mixture and mix until dough comes together, about 4 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer and knead dough with your hands into a ball, about 3 minutes. (The dough will be slightly sticky and rough on the surface and that's okay.) Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and let dough rest 30 minutes.
• Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 5 equal portions. Form portions into smooth balls. Cover with a damp kitchen towel until ready to use.
• Stir 3 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt into 1 cup water in a small bowl to dissolve.
• Mix ¼ cup finely chopped garlic (about 10 cloves), 1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes, and remaining 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a small bowl to combine.
• Heat broiler. Heat a 10" cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high until very hot. Sprinkle some salt water in skillet. Water will instantly evaporate, leaving a white film. You want this as it will help the kulcha stick to the pan and get crispy. Roll out 1 ball of dough on a lightly floured surface to a 4" round. Spread a scant 1 Tbsp. garlic mixture over dough, leaving a ¼" border around the edges. Fold kulcha in half and bring up both pointy ends and both sides into the center to form a small bundle. Gently pat down on bundle to flatten, sprinkle dough with more flour, and roll out to an 8" round, about ¼" thick.
• Dip one hand in salt water and sprinkle over 1 side of kulcha, then sprinkle Kashmiri chile powder or paprika and about 1½ tsp. chopped cilantro on top, pressing gently to adhere. Using your dry hand, turn kulcha, cilantro side down, onto your wet hand. Dip your dry hand in salt water and sprinkle other side of kulcha with salt water. Place kulcha, cilantro side up, in skillet and cook until starting to brown underneath and slight bubbles begin to appear on top, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer skillet to oven and broil, watching closely, until kulcha is golden brown on top, about 2 minutes. Using an offset spatula, transfer kulcha to a platter and drizzle generously with melted unsalted butter. Repeat process with remaining dough balls. Serve immediately.