Fromage Blanc Dumplings Recipes

POTATO DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, soak the bread in the milk 2 to 3 minutes, until soggy. Using your hands, squeeze out and discard the milk. Place the bread in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the potatoes, onions, parsley, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and marjoram. Add the eggs to the mixture and mix well. Shape the mixture into about 24 (1 1/2-inch) round dumplings. Dip the dumplings into the flour to coat generously. Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. With a slotted spoon, gently add the dumplings to the water. Bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook about 15 minutes, until the dumplings expand and float to the surface. Serve with any kind of stew.

STRAWBERRIES WITH FROMAGE BLANC

Steps:

• Put the strawberries in a medium bowl, sprinkle 4 tablespoons of the sugar over them, and toss gently. Set aside, covered, for at least 1 hour, or refrigerate for up to 3 hours.
• In a small bowl, mix together the fromage blanc, 1 tablespoon of the remaining sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Taste and add the additional sugar if necessary to correct the balance of flavors. Spoon the fromage blanc into the center of a shallow serving bowl.
• Spoon the strawberries and their juices around the fromage blanc, garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.

CLEAR FRUIT DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the strawberry puree dipping sauce: Combine the strawberries, sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, then uncover and continue to cook until the mixture has the consistency of syrup and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a blender and blend on low speed until the mixture has a jam-like consistency, about 1 minute. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pressing with a metal spoon. The sauce can be served at room temperature or refrigerated for about 30 minutes and served chilled.
• For the clear fruit dumplings: Combine the cold water, sugar and agar-agar powder in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to boil, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the butterfly pea flowers if using. Reduce to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar and agar-agar powder dissolve, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and discard the butterfly pea flowers with chopsticks or a spoon.
• Divide the mixture between two 9-inch square nonstick baking pans. Set aside at room temperature until the mixture sets into a firm jelly, about 30 minutes.
• Use a 3 1/2-inch round cookie cutter to make 4 dumpling wrappers per pan, leaving them in place in the pans. Remove one round from the pan and place it in the palm of your hand. Place 3 teaspoons of the chopped fruits of your choice in the center of the round. Fold the wrapper over like a taco. Do not press down the edges or the dumpling will break. Place the dumpling on a serving plate and repeat with the remaining 7 dumpling wrappers, varying the combination of fruits as desired.
• Squeeze a couple of drops of lemon juice over the dumplings just before serving with the strawberry puree dipping sauce on the side.

HOMEMADE FROMAGE BLANC

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, add the milk and the cream for a richer fromage blanc. In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk and lemon juice and stir to combine well. Add the buttermilk-lemon juice mixture to the milk and begin to heat the milk, over low heat and very slowly, to 175 degrees F. While the milk is heating, stir only twice, making 2 strokes each time, with a heat-proof spatula or other flat utensil. Check the temperature often. As soon as the temperature reaches 175 degrees F, remove the pot from the heat and allow to sit, undisturbed, for 10 minutes.
• Line a large colander with 2 layers of fine cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Gently ladle the curds and whey into the colander and allow to drain until the drips of whey slows, about 2 minutes. Tie the corners of the cheesecloth together to form a hanging pouch, and hang pouch over a bowl and allow to drain until the cheese reaches the desired consistency.
• Serve as is, with preserves, honey or fresh fruit, or add salt or fresh herbs, to taste, and enjoy as a savory appetizer. If a rich cheese is desired, spoon or pour a bit of heavy cream over the top before serving. Also, if a very smooth product is desired, beat the cheese briefly with an electric mixer before serving.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 1 week. If cheese is marinated in oil with fresh herbs, it will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

HERBED FROMAGE BLANC

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the fromage blanc, sour cream, scallions, dill, chives, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour (or overnight) for the flavors to blend. Serve in a small bowl surrounded by crackers and/or fresh vegetables like crudites.

SWEET POTATO PAN DUMPLINGS WITH BACON BUTTER

Steps:

• Place sweet potato on a microwave-safe plate. Poke holes all over and microwave until completely tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool briefly.
• Cut sweet potato in half and scoop flesh into a bowl. Mash thoroughly while still warm. Add egg, goat cheese, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Whisk until well combined. Add flour; mix with a spatula until no dry spots remain. Cover dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon. Cook and stir until bacon is just starting to crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Fry 5 dumplings at a time in the hot butter until golden brown and crusty, about 3 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining dumplings. Plate the dumplings and top each serving with some bacon butter.