Traditional Czech Bread Dumplings Recipe Houskový Knedlík Recipes

TRADITIONAL CZECH BREAD DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk together egg yolks and milk in a separate medium bowl.
• Pour the egg-milk mixture into the bowl with flour.
• Work the dough-with a Danish dough whisk, hands, or a stand mixer with the dough hook-until it no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
• Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a slow boil.
• Work the 4 cups of bread cubes into the batter by hand or in a stand mixer with the dough hook until well incorporated.
• Shape the dough using floured hands into 3 or 4 rolls that are about 8 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide.
• Carefully slip the rolls into the water once it is boiling, giving them a stir so they don't stick. If the pot doesn't comfortably fit all the rolls, boil them in batches.
• Reduce heat, cover, and cook 10 to 15 minutes. Cooking the rolls at a rapid boil can cause them to disintegrate.
• Remove 1 dumpling from the pot using a slotted spoon after 10 minutes of cooking and test for doneness by cutting through the middle of the dumpling with a thread or sharp knife. The dumpling is done when the knife comes out almost clean after slicing it.
• Remove the dumplings one by one when done and slice into 3/4-inch pieces using either a thread or sharp knife. Repeat until all dumplings are removed from the water and sliced.
• Serve warm with gravy and garnish with fresh parsley.

CZECH BREAD DUMPLINGS (KNEDLíKY)

Steps:

• Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let sit and bloom for about 10 minutes.
• Add egg and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Pour in 2 ¾ cups flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and forms a dough.
• Knead on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and slightly elastic, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, flipping the dough to coat the top in oil. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Transfer back to your work surface; press out the excess air and form dough into a relatively uniform ball.
• Cut dough into two equal pieces. Form each piece into a uniform ball. Roll each ball into a tube, 2 to 2 ½ inches wide.
• Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let proof for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a steady simmer.
• Carefully pick up a risen piece of dough and transfer to the simmering water. Bring back to a simmer. Cover tightly and let simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover, flip, and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a plate and poke all over with a toothpick or wooden skewer, which releases the steam from the center.
• Use a piece of string or thread to cut into 3/4- to 1-inch dumplings. Transfer to a serving plate.
• Repeat Steps 9 to 11 to cook remaining dough.

BREAD DUMPLINGS (HOUSKOVE KNEDLIKY)

Steps:

• Beat eggs, salt& milk in a large mixing bowl; add flour gradually.
• Continue beating with a large spoon (the dough must be smooth& stiff enough to hold its shape).
• Stir in bread cubes last.
• Have a clean, wet towel ready.
• Shape the dough with wet hands into an oblong, roll in a towel& drop into a large kettle of salted boiling water.
• Boil, covered, for 45 minutes.
• Remove the towel& slice the dumpling 1/2 inch thick (if not sliced immediately, the steam cannot escape& the dumplings will be soggy& hard).
• Keep hot until ready to serve.