Potato Cheese Dumplings Varškes Bulviu Tinginiai Lit Recipes

BRYNDZOVé HALUšKY (SLOVAK POTATO DUMPLINGS WITH CHEESE)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, flour, salt, and egg to form a thick, loose dough. It should be wet enough to push through the large holes of a colander, but still keep its shape in the boiling water. If too dry, add a splash of water at a time to reach desired consistency. If too wet to hold its shape, mix in a little more flour.
• Place a large pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until the fat has rendered and the bacon is lightly crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove the bacon with grease from the pan and carefully set aside in a medium bowl.
• While the bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reduce to a lightly rolling boil, around medium high heat.
• Use a spatula or wooden spoon to transfer some of the dough to the halušky maker or a colander with large holes. Scrape the dough into the boiling water in batches. Stir the bottom lightly to unstick any dumplings. Once the dumplings float to the surface, after about 2 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl and repeat with remaining dough.
• Remove 1/4 cup of the still hot cooking water to the empty pan. Add the cheese, stirring to melt into a creamy sauce. Add to the cooked halušky, tossing to coat.
• Serve immediately topped with the cooked bacon and drizzle a little of the rendered bacon fat over the top. If desired, add a sprinkling of chopped parsley or chives.

VARENIKI (RUSSIAN-STYLE POTATO DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• For the filling: Saute onions with oil in a pan until softened and brown.
• Grate warm potato into a bowl and add the sauteed onion, salt and pepper. Mix together to evenly distribute ingredients into a mash-like mixture.
• For the dough: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Add flour and salt to the cleaned bowl of a stand mixer and slowly mix. Add water and oil. Mix completely. Remove dough and work into a roll, then a log shape.
• Slice a thin piece of dough and roll into a thin 4-inch round. Place 1 tablespoon potato mixture in the center of the dough circle, then fold circle into a half-moon and seal the edges. Place on the lined baking sheet. Fold over the edge of the dumpling, like a pot sticker. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes to hold their shape.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add dumplings; they will rise to the top once they are finished cooking.
• For the garnish: Caramelize onions in some oil in a frying pan until golden brown and crispy, 5 minutes. Plate dumplings and lay caramelized onions on top with salt, pepper and sour cream.

HALUSKA, HUNGARIAN POTATO DUMPLINGS WITH COTTAGE CHEESE

Steps:

• boil, peel, and grate a large starchy potatoe.
• Combine with flour, egg, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Drop by 1/2 teaspoon into a large pot of boiling water.
• Dumplings are done when they float.
• Remove from pot and drain well.
• Empty water from pot and return dumplings to it.
• Sprinkle dumplings with dill weed then combine with cottage cheese (I prefer small curd but either works).
• Re-warm dish to eating temperature (cottage cheese will reduce temperature) and serve.
• Alternatively combine with boiled cabbage instead of cottage cheese (also very tasty).

POTATO DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thyme, garlic and onion. Cook, stirring, until the onions are golden, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
• Add the potatoes, cheese and sour cream to a small bowl and mix, then set aside.
• Working one at a time, lay out a wonton wrapper and use your finger to dampen the edge of the wrapper with water. Place 1 tablespoon of the potato mix in the center of the wrapper. Fold into a triangle, sealing the edges and pushing out as much air as possible. Set aside and repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
• Drop the dumplings into the salted water and cook until they rise to the surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the skillet with the onions. Cook until the dumplings are golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Deglaze with the white wine, allowing it to boil and reduce, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and remaining 5 tablespoons butter. Continue to stir until the butter is melted and you have a glossy sauce. Serve immediately garnished with more parsley.

KNEPHLEAS (POTATOES, DUMPLINGS AND CHEESE)

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in salted water until done.
• Mix together the flour, salt, baking powder, eggs and approximately 1/3 cup water (use enough water to make dough the right consistency for small drop dumplings).
• Drop the mixture into boiling salted water.
• Cook 15-20 minutes or until dumplings are done in the center.
• While they are cooking, saute 2 or 3 sliced onions in butter and grate Longhorn or cheddar cheese.
• When potatoes and dumplings are done, drain and mix together gently.
• Alternate a layer of potatoes and dumplings, and a layer of cheese, beginning and ending with potatoes and dumplings.
• Spread sauted onions and butter over top.
• Serve immediately.

POTATO DUMPLING CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, 1 cup flour, eggs, salt and pepper until well blended. Spoon into a clean plastic bag.
• Bring 5 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Adjust heat so that water boils very gently. Cut a small opening in the corner of the baggie, and squeeze out dumplings into the water, cutting with scissors at 1 inch intervals. Let the dumplings simmer uncovered until they float to the top. Remove with a slotted spoon, and place in a 2 quart baking dish. Keep warm.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in butter until tender. Blend in 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. Pour in cream and broth, and cook, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in half of the Parmesan cheese and half of the Jarlsberg until smooth. Pour over the dumplings in the dish. Sprinkle remaining cheeses over the top.
• Bake uncovered for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is golden brown and sauce is bubbly.