Meat Filled Potato Dumplings Hairy And Filled Hoorische And Gefillde Food

MEAT-FILLED DUMPLINGS (PELMENI)

Steps:

• Using a food processor, blend the flour with the salt. With the motor still running, add the egg through the feed tube, then pour in the water in a slow, steady stream, until the dough forms a ball around the blade.
• Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 2 minutes. Cover with a cotton cloth and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Combine all the filling ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until they are thoroughly mixed.
• Divide the dough in half and shape into two balls. Keep one covered with the cloth while working with the other.
• On the floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to a very thin sheet, about 1/16th inch thick, making sure it doesn't tear. With a round cookie cutter, cut out circles about 2 inches in diameter. Gather the scraps together into a ball and set aside, covered.
• In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Set a bowl of the beaten egg white near you.
• Place a scant teaspoon of the filling toward the bottom of one circle. Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling to form a semi-circle. Brush the edges with the egg white and press the edges firmly together with the tines of a fork to seal.
• Boil the one dumpling for 10 minutes to taste the filling for seasoning.
• Fill and shape the remaining rounds, arranging the dumplings as they are made on a lightly floured baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
• The pelmeni are usually frozen at this point. Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place in the freezer until they are completely frozen. When frozen, transfer the pelmeni to a plastic bag.
• To cook the pelmeni, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Drop in half the pelmeni and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking, until they rise to the surface and are cooked through, about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, carefully remove the pelmeni to a colander and drain well. Transfer to a deep serving bowl and toss with the butter.
• Cook the remaining pelmeni the same way.

MAULTASCHEN (GERMAN MEAT-FILLED PASTA DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• If using fresh spinach, bring a pot of water to a boil.
• Drop in the spinach and blanch for 1-2 minutes. Drain in a colander and squeeze as much liquid out as possible.
• If using frozen spinach, simply thaw and squeeze out the liquid in a colander.
• Chop finely.
• Heat the butter or oil in a sauté pan and sauté the onions over medium heat till translucent.
• Add the ground beef and sauté till just cooked through.
• Drain excess oil and allow to cool.
• Mix the spinach and ground beef mixture together in a bowl.
• Drain the bread and squeeze dry.
• Crumble in the bread, mix well, and season to taste with nutmeg and salt and pepper.
• Add 3-4 eggs and mix or knead to form a paste.
• Add 1-2 tsps of the stuffing to each wonton wrapper, moisten the edges with a little of the egg-water mixture, and fold in half.
• Press down on edges to seal.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes in rapidly boiling, salted water.
• Drain and serve with a little beef or chicken broth, in soups, or topped with bread crumbs toasted in melted butter.
• VARIATIONS:.
• Use different types of bread for different flavors: rye, whole wheat, or stale rolls.
• Substitute ground chicken or lamb for the ground beef. A.
• Add a little minced ham or sausages for extra flavor.
• Kräutermaultaschen (Herb maultaschen): substitute 1 bunch minced parsley and 1 bunch minced chives or scallions for half the spinach.

STUFFED POTATO DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For croutons, melt butter in small skillet; brown bread cubes. Set aside. , In a saucepan, boil potatoes in water to cover until tender. Cool; rice potatoes and place in a large bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Stir in eggs; beat until mixture holds it shape. , With lightly floured hands, shape about 2 tablespoons dough into a ball, placing a few croutons in center of each ball. Repeat with remaining dough and croutons. Refrigerate for 1 hour. , Drop dumplings into boiling salted water (2 teaspoons salt to 1 quart water). Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Drain. Melt butter in a small skillet; cook and stir the bread crumbs until lightly browned. Sprinkle over dumplings.