Slovak Recipes Zapraska Food

CHRISTMAS EVE ZAPRASKA SOUP

Steps:

• Cook the vegetables in water for 1 1/2 hours. Add the zapraska and sauerkraut juice and cook for 30 more minutes.
• **To prepare zapraska:
• Brown the flour in the oil until pasty, add the water mixing constantly until smooth. Add to the soup and follow instructions above.

SLOVAK CHRISTMAS EVE MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Saute chopped onions in 1 cup butter until golden brown.
• Add finely chopped mushrooms to onions, and cook until mushrooms are done.
• Add water and cans of sauerkraut juice, bring to boil, lower heat and simmer 1/2 hour.
• In a small sauce pan brown remaining 1/4 cup butter, adding flour to make a roux.
• Slowly add some soup juice (about 2 cups) to the roux, stirring to blend.
• Add roux to soup and cook another 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Serve.

SLOVAK BOBALKI - CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring to boil 2 cups water, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and oil. Cool to lukewarm. Meanwhile, dissolve yeast in 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 cup warm water.
• Place flour in large bowl. Add lukewarm water-sugar mixture and yeast mixture. Combine thoroughly and knead until smooth (10 minute by hand or 7 minute in mixer). Cover and let rise until doubled.
• Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to 1/2- to 1-inch thick and cut into pieces and roll by hand into 1 inch balls.
• Place on a parchment-lined or floured cookie sheet with dough ball sides touching. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Let rise, covered with oiled plastic wrap until nearly doubled. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely.
• Meanwhile, grind poppyseeds in a mortar and pestle with a little water or milk and set aside. When Bobalki are cool, break dough balls apart, and place in colander. Pour just enough boiling water over Bobalki to soften but not turn them into mush. Drain well. Pour warm honey and ground poppyseeds over all. Stir lightly and serve immediately.