Icelandic Ponnokukur Recipes

NEBRASKAN RUNZAS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine 3/4 cup warm water (approximately 110 degrees F),the yeast and a pinch of sugar in a large mixing bowl and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Add 3 eggs and whisk to combine. Add half of the bread flour and beat with a wooden spoon until good and thready, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, the remaining flour and the salt and mix well. The dough will be a little sticky. Let rest 15 minutes.
• Knead the dough to develop the gluten until it feels tight and smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered bowl, cover and let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature. Then chill in the refrigerator,1 to 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into 8 even portions. Roll each one into a ball and leave on the counter, covered loosely, to warm up, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, breaking up the beef, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a bowl.
• Drain and discard all but a film of the fat from the skillet. Add the butter; when it has melted, add the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and rosemary and cook 3 minutes. Add the mixture to the bowl containing the beef.
• Without cleaning the skillet, add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Saute the spinach over high heat until wilted and the excess liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Chop the spinach, then add it to the beef mixture and set aside to cool.
• Roll out the dough: Flatten a dough ball on a heavily floured surface and roll out into a 3-by-5-inch rectangle. Then make wrapping flaps from the four corners of the rectangle by rolling out each corner thinly so you have a thick rectangle with four thinner triangular wings at the corners.
• Fill the runzas: Spoon 1/2 cup of the beef filling into the center of the dough rectangle and wrap the flaps over it, pinching to close. Flip the bundle over in your hands, gently forming the runza into a fat football shape. Set the runza seam-side down on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining filling and dough balls, arranging them on 2 oiled baking sheets. Let the runzas rise about an inch, uncovered, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk the remaining egg and 2 tablespoons water to make an egg wash and brush it thinly over the tops of the runzas. Bake until golden brown, 25 minutes. Serve hot.

ICELANDIC PANCAKES (PöNNUKöKUR)

Steps:

• Whip together milk and eggs with a whisk until smooth, about 30 seconds.
• Slowly add in flour, sugar and salt. Whisk until the batter is smooth, about 30 seconds to a minute. Try to avoid beating air into the batter or overworking it. Just mix it until fully incorporated.
• If possible, allow the batter to stand for 30 minutes so that the flour absorbs more liquid, and the air bubbles rise out of the mix. Or, if short on time, just begin cooking.
• Heat a crepe pan to very hot but not smoking and add a small pat of butter. Lift the pan and pour a large ladle of batter into the pan. Immediately begin tilting to pan to spread the batter. Keep the pan moving until all the batter has solidified and/or the whole pan is covered in batter.
• Cook until the batter has set across the top and the edges begin to pull away from the pan, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Flip with a very thin spatula, and cook for another 30 seconds on the other side.
• Remove to a plate and serve with jam or yogurt.

ICELANDIC PONNOKUKUR(PANCAKES)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cardamom and nutmeg and set aside. In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In alternating turns, add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk to the eggs, whisking until combined; repeat with the remaining flour and milk. Mix in the cream and vanilla. Let the batter sit 30 minutes, refrigerated.
• Preheat a crepe pan over medium-high heat. Rub with a stick of butter to lightly coat the pan--the butter should foam but not brown. Swirl up 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter into the pan, tilting the pan to thinly and evenly cover the entire surface. When the edges turn golden (after about 30 seconds), flip the pancake with an offset spatula or pie server, and brown the other side. Flip the pan upside down over a large plate, dropping the pancake onto the plate. Repeat with the remaining batter.
• Serve immediately, or stack the pancakes with a layer of parchment between each. They can be wrapped tightly in plastic and frozen, or used within 2 days (stored wrapped at room temperature).

ICELANDIC PONNOKUKUR

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cardamom and nutmeg and set aside. In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In alternating turns, add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk to the eggs, whisking until combined; repeat with the remaining flour and milk. Mix in the cream and vanilla. Let the batter sit 30 minutes, refrigerated.
• Preheat a crepe pan over medium-high heat. Rub with a stick of butter to lightly coat the pan--the butter should foam but not brown. Swirl up 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter into the pan, tilting the pan to thinly and evenly cover the entire surface. When the edges turn golden (after about 30 seconds), flip the pancake with an offset spatula or pie server, and brown the other side. Flip the pan upside down over a large plate, dropping the pancake onto the plate. Repeat with the remaining batter.
• Serve immediately, or stack the pancakes with a layer of parchment between each. They can be wrapped tightly in plastic and frozen, or used within 2 days (stored wrapped at room temperature).