Strudels German Dumplings Recipes

SEMMELKNöDEL (GERMAN BREAD DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Chop the hardened bread into small cubes and place them in a large bowl. Pour the hot milk over the bread, cover and let sit for 20-30 minutes or until softened.
• Heat the butter in a frying pan and cook the onions just until transparent, do not brown them. Add the cooked onions to the bread mixture along with the eggs, cooked bacon (if using), parsley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Knead the mixture together with your hands until very thoroughly combined, breaking up as many of the bread cubes as you can until it's a soft and chunky-smooth consistency. If the dough is too wet, add breadcrumbs (not flour).
• Wet your hands to prevent the dough from sticking and form Knödel about the size of a tennis ball (they will expand slightly when cooked). Press the Knoedel between your palms to make sure they're nice and compact. Bring a large, wide pot of lightly salted water to a very light simmer - not boiling but just on the verge of boiling with tiny fizzy bubbles floating up. Carefully drop the Semmel Knoedel in the water and let them "steep" 15-20 minutes. Do not at any point let the water boil or you risk your Knödel losing shape or falling apart. Carefully lift them out with a slotted spoon. Serve with Rouladen, Sauerbraten, Senfbraten, Geschnetzeltes, Jaegerschnitzel, etc.
• To Freeze The Knödel: Let them cool completely, place them spread apart on a cookie sheet and freeze them, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To reheat, let them thaw and reheat them covered (to create some steam) in the microwave.
• Makes 6-7 Semmelknödel, depending on the size.

OLD COUNTRY DUMPLINGS (GERMAN BULLETS) - 2 WAYS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the flour, eggs and water with your hands. Knead the dough in the bowl until it is one large ball of dough. It shouldn't be too dry and just a tiny bit sticky. If you find it's too dry or too wet, add a very small amount of water or flour until you get the right consistency. Set bowl aside.
• Add bacon and onion to large frying pan. Stir frequently over medium heat until bacon is cooked and onion is slightly browned. When done, place bacon and onions on paper towls on a plate. Do NOT wipe out the pan - you need the fat for frying. Return half the bacon mixture to the pan.
• With kitchen shears, cut dough into 4 or 5 large pieces. Between your palms, flatten dough into a large flat circle, about 1 inch thick. Cut pieces of dough into similar, bite sized pieces onto a tea towel. It's OK if they dry for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring salted water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add potatoes, cook for 10 minutes, until just tender. Remove potatoes and set aside.
• Add dumplings to boiling water. You can do this by dropping them in a few at a time or fill up a spatula with dumplings and add to water. Make sure to stir them up in case some are sticking together. When they float, they are done, only a few minutes. Strain some of the dumplings into a colander, keeping half of them in the pot. *** Make sure you keep enough cooking water in the pot to cover about 3/4 of the soup dumplings.
• Ensure that half of the dumplings are in the soup and half in the pan with the bacon and onions. Add the potatoes to the soup and the bacon and onion mixture that you set aside. Add milk and bring to a boil. When it reaches a boil, you can turn it down to low. Salt and pepper to taste.
• While waiting for the soup to boil, fry the dumplings in the pan with the bacon and onion. Add eggs and stir to coat the dumplings. Let egg cook through. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Your 2 versions of dumplings are now ready! I usually have the soup first and then the fried ones second, in the same bowl. Some people like to get the soup and put the fried ones on top. Any way you like it - there are no rules!
• It is a good idea to leave out salt and pepper so everyone can add it to their taste.

GERMAN STRUDELS

Steps:

• Combine yeast, salt, sugar, water, egg, and flour to make dough.
• Divide the dough into small balls.
• Let rest for a while.
• Roll balls to about 1/4 inch thick and spread with warm oil.
• Let the dough rest for a few minutes so the dough will stretch easily, then stretch the dough paper thin.
• Once the dough is stretched, roll it like you would for cinnamon rolls.
• Cut the dough (which is rolled up like a snake now) into 3 inch lengths.
• Coat roaster or heavy pan (you can also use and electric frying pan) with shortening or oil, put as many diced potatoes and onions as you like and season with salt and pepper.
• Add water to cover the potatoes and bring to a boil.
• Once water is boiling lay strudels on top of potatoes in two layers.
• Water should nearly cover strudels.
• COVER TIGHTLY-THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT OR RECIPE WILL NOT WORK!
• YOU CANNOT PEEK OR THE STRUDELS WILL "FALL"!
• Cook over low heat 30 to 35 minutes, or until you can hear a slight "frying" noise in the pan.
• Enjoy!

STRUDELS (GERMAN DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Mix water, salt, baking powder and flour to form dough.
• Knead dough on floured surface until elastic.
• Set aside and cover with wax paper for approximately 20 minutes.
• Roll dough out with rolling pin until it's as thin as you can make it.
• Rub a small amount of oil on top.
• Pull dough out, starting on edges.
• When it's pulled thin, stretch it out on the counter and anchor it on the ends (with water glasses or bowls).
• Flip it lengthwise 3 or 4 times into 1" wide strips.
• Slice off strip and cut into 2" pieces.
• Repeat until no more dough is left.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in frying pan at maximum heat and then turn down to setting 4.
• Fry dough in lard, adding lard as needed.
• Remove and let stand in a bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in large pot on setting 6.
• Add onions and saute until they start to brown, then add potatoes.
• Add water to cover potatoes, salt and pepper.
• Cook covered until potatoes are half cooked (approximately 15 minutes).
• Add 2" water and bring to boil.
• Add dough pieces and cook covered for 1/2 hour on setting 4.

GERMAN DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Note: Handle dough minmally.
• Turn onto floured counter and roll into a log.
• Cut with a floured knife.
• Use salted water for cooking.
• Eat them with a little melted butter on them.
• Yum!

STRUDELS (GERMAN)

Steps:

• 1. Mix ingredients in order given, mixing well after each addition. Knead well and let rest in bowl. Dust a surface with flour and divide dough into 4 portions. Roll out dough thin and spread thinly with soft lard. Let rest awhile covered with clean, white dish towel.
• 2. In an electric fry pan, add 1 1/2 tablespoons lard, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 4 - 5 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed, and 1 onion, chopped. Add enough water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil.
• 3. Pull strudel dough thin, working out from the center. Be careful not to tear the dough. Smear the dough thinly with a little soft lard and roll up like a jelly roll. Repeat this with each of the dough balls. Cut into 2 inch pieces and put on top of potatoes. Cover tightly and cook 20 to 25 minutes. Do not lift lid while cooking. When you hear the frying pan start to "fry" they are done. Uncover slowly and serve.