Svestkove Knedliky Czehoslovakin Fruit Dumpling Recipes

CZECH YEASTED FRUIT DUMPLINGS WITH BLUEBERRIES

Steps:

• Stir a teaspoon of sugar and the dry yeast into the lukewarm milk. Leave the yeast in a warm place to activate. It takes about 10-15 minutes for a foam with bubbles to form on the surface.
• In a large bowl, combine flour with egg, a pinch of salt, and the yeast mixture. Combine everything first with a spoon, then dump the mixture onto a work surface and process with your hands into a soft dough.
• Return the ball of dough to the bowl, cover with cling film or a clean cloth, and leave in a warm spot to rise for 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the granulated sugar and the clean, drained blueberries.
• Roll out the raised smooth dough into a rectangular pancake about half to three-quarters of an inch thick. Cut into squares about 8 cm on a side. Place a teaspoon and a half of the sweetened blueberries in the center of each square. Close the dumpling carefully to prevent the juices from running out.
• In a large skillet, bring lightly salted water to a full boil. Then turn the stove down to medium heat and place dumplings into it. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 8 minutes, do not flip the dumplings. Once cooked, carefully transfer them with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
• To release the steam, prick the cooked dumplings with a fork and brush their top with melted butter. Drizzle with melted butter and serve with your favorite toppings.

SVESTKOVE KNEDLIKY (PLUM DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Cream 2 tablespoons butter, beat in eggs and salt.
• Gradually beat in flour and riced potatoes.
• Dough should be stiff to knead thoroughly.
• On floured board roll out dough to 1/4-in thickness, then cut 3-inch squares.
• Lay 1 plum on each square, sprinkle with little cinnamon sugar and fold edges over plum.
• Shape with hands into a ball.
• The wall of dough should be very thin.
• Drop dumplings into boiling salted water, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Brown bread crumbs in 1/3 cup hot butter.
• Roll dumplings in buttered bread crumbs, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

SVESTKOVE KNEDLIKY PRUNE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Mix butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Add milk 1/2 at first up to 3/4 cup you need stiff dough.
• Roll dough out on floured board to 3/8 inch thick; cut into 3 inch squares.
• Place a blue plum with a teaspoon sugar and sprinkle of cinnamon on each square.
• Bring the corners to the top and seal all edges.
• Drop in boiling water and boil 10 to 12 minutes. Their plums could have been smaller.
• Remove to a platter.
• Serve with melted butter, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, and surrounded with cottage cheese.

KNEDLIKY - CZECH DUMPLING WITH SAUERKRAUT (ZELI)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center, and pour in the eggs and 1 cup of milk. Stir to blend, and add enough additional milk to make a moist battery dough, not like pancake batter. Use a sturdy wooden spoon to beat the dough at least 200 strokes, rolling it over and over in the bowl until smooth and an occasional bubble appears on the surface. Add the dry white bread cubes, and stir into the dough until they disappear.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the dough onto a cheesecloth or white cotton cloth, and form into a loaf shape. Wrap the cloth around the loaf, and tie the ends.
• Place the loaf into the boiling water, and cook for 45 minutes, turning the loaf over about half way through. Remove from the water, unwrap, and cover with a tea towel. Let stand for 10 minutes.
• Fry bacon in a small skillet over medium-high heat until evenly browned. Set aside. Place the drained sauerkraut into a saucepan, and add enough water to cover the surface. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add bacon, and season with salt, pepper and caraway seeds. Stir together the cornstarch and water; mix into the sauerkraut, and simmer for a few minutes before removing from the heat.
• Slice the dumpling loaf. Drizzle dumpling slices with some of the roast drippings from the pan. Serve with sauerkraut.