Kummelweck Recipes

KUMMELWECK ROLLS OR VIENNA BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Sprinkle the yeast over 1/4 cup of the lukewarm water in a small bowl. Set aside to proof until bubbly, about 5 minutes. Combine the remaining 3/4 cup lukewarm water, the oil, sugar, salt, barley malt syrup or honey, and 1 egg white in a large mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add 1-1/2 cups of the flour and mix until smooth. Add the yeast solution and slowly stir in an additional 1-1/2 cups of the flour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky to the touch, adding only as much additional flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking. Transfer to a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature to rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down, cover the bowl again, and let the dough rise a second time, for about 30 minutes. Return the dough to the work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth round, then flatten the rounds slightly. Place on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet, well spaced to allow spreading. Cover loosely with a towel and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Combine the remaining egg white and the 1 tbsp. water in a small dish and blend. Brush the rolls lightly with the egg white wash. Using the tip of a sharp knife or razor, cut 4 crescent-shaped slits into each roll, radiating out from the center. Sprinkle the rolls with the coarse salt and caraway seeds and spritz, with water, and close the oven. Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes more, until browned and crisp. Cool the rolls on wire racks.
• 2. VIENNA LOAF: Follow the recipe directions for Kimmelweck Rolls with the following exceptions: After the second rise, divide the dough in half and shape each half into an oval with tapered ends. After the final rise, apply the egg wash and cut a 1/2" deep slit down the top of each loaf; omit the salt and caraway sprinkle, if desired. Bake in 400°F oven, baking for about 30 minutes more after the second spritz with water (for a total of 35 minutes).
• 3. For Salt and Pepper Sticks: Follow the recipe directions with the following exceptions: Omit the second rise. Divide the dough into 13 equal pieces, roll each piece out into a 12" rope of even thickness, and space the ropes 1-1/2" apart on the prepared baking sheet. After the final rise, apply the egg wash, but do not make any cuts into the do dough; sprinkle with coarse sea salt crystals and coarsely ground or cracked black pepper instead of with salt crystals and caraway seeds. I like to vary the topping by sprinkling some with salt, some with pepper, and some with a little of both. Do not spritz with water. Bake for about 18 minutes.

KIMMELWECK ROLLS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over 1/4 cup of the lukewarm water in a small bowl; set aside to proof about 5 minutes.
• Combine the remaining 3/4 cup lukewarm water, the oil, sugar, salt, barley malt syrup or honey, and 1 egg white in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Add 1-1/2 cups of the flour and mix until smooth; add yeast mixture and add in additional 1 1/2 cups flour.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky to the touch, adding only as much additional flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking.
• Transfer to a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature to rise until doubled (about an hour).
• Punch the dough down, cover the bowl again, and let the dough rise a second time, for about 30 minutes.
• Return the dough to the work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
• Shape each piece into a smooth round, then flatten the rounds slightly.
• Place on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet, well spaced to allow spreading.
• Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F
• Combine the remaining egg white and the 1 tablespoons water in a small dish and blend.
• Brush the rolls lightly with the egg white wash.
• Score 4 crescent-shaped slits into each roll with a very sharp knife, radiating out from the center.
• Sprinkle the rolls with the coarse salt and caraway seeds and sprinkle with water.
• Bake for 5 minutes.
• Quickly open the oven door, sprinkle the rolls again with water, and close the oven.
• Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes more, until browned and crisp.
• Cool the rolls on wire racks.
• **For a Vienna Loaf:
• Follow the recipe directions for rolls with the following exceptions: After the second rise, divide the dough in half and shape each half into an oval with tapered ends.
• After the final rise, apply the egg wash and cut a 1/2" deep slit down the top of each loaf; omit the salt and caraway sprinkle, if desired.
• Bake in 400°F oven, baking for about 30 minutes more after the second spray with water (for a total of 35 minutes).
• **For Salt and Pepper Sticks: Follow the recipe directions with the following exceptions: Omit the second rise.
• Divide the dough into 13 equal pieces, roll each piece out into a 12" rope of even thickness, and space the ropes 1-1/2" apart on the prepared baking sheet.
• After the final rise, apply the egg wash, but do not make any cuts into the do dough; sprinkle with coarse sea salt crystals and coarsely ground or cracked black pepper instead of with salt crystals and caraway seeds.
• Do not spritz with water.
• Bake for about 18 minutes.

ROAST BEEF ON WECK

Steps:

• Combine equal parts coarse salt and whole caraway seed. Store in clean jar. Heat 1 cup water to a boil. Dissolve cornstarch in 1/2 cup warm water and add to boiled water. Return to a boil and thicken until it coats a spoon. Cool and store in refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make kummelweck rolls, take 12 rolls and place on baking sheet. Brush top of rolls with cornstarch solution and sprinkle with seed mixture. Place in oven for 4 minutes or until kummelweck dries.
• For the Beef on Weck: Heat au jus in saucepan until simmering. Dip sliced roast beef in hot au jus and place on cut kummelweck roll. Top with a dollop of horseradish and dip the top of the roll in the au jus.

CHEF JOHN'S KUMMELWECK ROLLS

Steps:

• Whisk 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup warm water, and yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit until foamy, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir 2 tablespoons oil, 1 egg white, sugar, salt, and honey into yeast mixture; whisk until smooth. Gradually add flour to yeast mixture while mixer is running with the dough hook attached; knead until a soft, sticky dough forms, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Drizzle remaining vegetable oil into the bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover the bowl and let dough rise until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, flatten dough, and press into rectangle. Cut dough into 12 pieces and form pieces into rolls. Place rolls 2-inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Whisk 1 egg white and 2 teaspoons water together in a small bowl. Use kitchen shears to cut an X at the top of each roll. Brush rolls with egg white mixture and sprinkle with caraway seeds and salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

BEEF ON WECK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Warm the au jus sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the roast beef and let it warm up at the same time. While the meat is soaking, place the rolls on a baking sheet with the cut side down. Brush the tops lightly with water and sprinkle with salt and caraway seeds.
• Bake in the preheated oven until rolls are toasted, about 10 minutes. Serve the sliced beef on the rolls with the au jus and horseradish on the side.

CHEF JOHN'S BEEF ON WECK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Season beef with salt and black pepper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef roast in hot oil until browned on all sides on each side, 4 to 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 125 degrees F (52 degrees C). Transfer beef to a plate to rest.
• Remove skillet from heat and whisk flour into skillet until flour taste cooks off, about 1 minute. Pour cold beef broth into skillet; place skillet over medium-high heat. Stir balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and any accumulated juices from the roast beef plate into beef broth mixture; cook until jus reduces slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt.
• Slice sirloin as thinly as possible against the grain. Pile meat onto the base of each roll. Spread a thick layer of horseradish on the top bun and place top bun over meat. Serve with jus for dipping.