Lithuanian Kugelis Potato Pudding Recipes

LITHUANIAN KUGELIS (POTATO PUDDING)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350F degrees.
• Peel potatoes; place them in a bowl of cool water to keep from turning dark. (When removing each potato from the water to grate, dry off with a kitchen towel or paper towel to reduce moisture in the grated potatoes.)
• Cook bacon until crispy, do not drain. Add the butter to the pan with the bacon to melt. Reserve all grease. Set aside. Hold back (or fry more) some bacon bits for garnish, if desired.
• Warm the milk or cream; do not boil. Just make it warm to incorporate easier. Set aside.
• Grate the potatoes and onion into a bowl using the grater of your choice. Consistency should be like applesauce. Remove and discard any large pieces. Place in cheesecloth to squeeze excess moisture out of potatoes or place in a fine colander and allow to drain. Reserve the liquid drained from the potatoes. You will pour away the milky-watery liquid and add the potato starch that has collected back to your kugelis mixture.
• Put potato/onion mix in big bowl, add the butter/bacon/bacon grease and stir well. Slowly mix in the beaten eggs, one at a time like in the "old-country" or at once. Mix well. Discard the liquid from the drained potatoes; you will be left with a glob of starch in the bottom of the bowl. Add most of it (or all if you want) to the potato mixture and stir in.
• Add the warmed milk/cream slowly; add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
• Pour into a buttered 11 x 14-inch baking dish. A glass baking dish helps you see the level of brown the crust is attaining. Bake and test for doneness at 1 hour and 15 minutes or so. Like a cake, it will pull from the sides of the pan and a knife should come out clean. You may need to adjust baking time to get a nice brown crust. Slice and serve with sour cream and bacon bits on top, if desired.
• Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly. Cut into serving pieces.

LITHUANIAN KUGELIS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place bacon in a Dutch oven set over medium heat, cover, and cook until the bacon has softened and begun to release it's grease. Stir in the onion and cook until softened and translucent. Remove the cover, and continue cooking and stirring until the mixture caramelizes and turns a deep, golden brown. Remove from heat and stir in butter to melt.
• Stir shredded potatoes into the onion mixture, then stir in the evaporated milk and eggs until well combined. Pour into a 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until golden on top. Remove and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing into 3x3-inch squares. Serve hot.