Bohemian Czech Bread Dumplings Recipe Houskove Knedliky

HOUSKOVé KNEDLíKY - CZECH BREAD DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Cut the stale white bread into ⅓-inch cubes.
• Combine the flour with 2 pinches of salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Put yeast in the center, sprinkle with a pinch of sugar. Pour in ⅓ of lukewarm milk and stir with a little flour using a fork. Let it sit for 5 minutes until yeast dissolve.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining milk with an egg. Add the mixture to the bowl with flour and yeast.
• Knead the dumpling dough until smooth. Use your hands (my choice) or a kitchen mixer with a proper attachment. Add a bit of flour if the dough is too sticky.
• Only now add cubed bread and combine.
• Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 45 minutes in a warm place until double.
• Meantime, prepare a pot with low boiling salted water to boil the dumpling or a steamer in case you intend to steam the dumpling.
• Divide the proofed dough into two pieces, form a cylinder shape out of each piece. One loaf should be about 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) long and 3-inch (7 cm) thick.

TRADITIONAL CZECH BREAD DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk together egg yolks and milk in a separate medium bowl.
• Pour the egg-milk mixture into the bowl with flour.
• Work the dough-with a Danish dough whisk, hands, or a stand mixer with the dough hook-until it no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
• Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a slow boil.
• Work the 4 cups of bread cubes into the batter by hand or in a stand mixer with the dough hook until well incorporated.
• Shape the dough using floured hands into 3 or 4 rolls that are about 8 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide.
• Carefully slip the rolls into the water once it is boiling, giving them a stir so they don't stick. If the pot doesn't comfortably fit all the rolls, boil them in batches.
• Reduce heat, cover, and cook 10 to 15 minutes. Cooking the rolls at a rapid boil can cause them to disintegrate.
• Remove 1 dumpling from the pot using a slotted spoon after 10 minutes of cooking and test for doneness by cutting through the middle of the dumpling with a thread or sharp knife. The dumpling is done when the knife comes out almost clean after slicing it.
• Remove the dumplings one by one when done and slice into 3/4-inch pieces using either a thread or sharp knife. Repeat until all dumplings are removed from the water and sliced.
• Serve warm with gravy and garnish with fresh parsley.

HOUSKOVE KNEDLIKY - CZECHOSLOVAKIAN BREAD DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Place water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a stockpot and bring to a rolling boil.
• Melt the butter in a large sauté pan or skillet; toast bread cubes until golden.
• Remove from heat and reserve.
• Add the remaining ingredients together in a bowl.
• Fold cooled bread cubes into the dumpling batter.
• Shape dumplings into 1 1/2" by 3" cylinders and gently drop into boiling water (this works better if hands are slightly moistened).
• Reduce heat to a low simmer; cover and cook 20 minutes (turn dumplings over at ten minutes).
• Remove from pot with slotted spoon and drain.
• Slice into 1/2" thick disks with a knife and serve immediately.

BREAD DUMPLINGS (HOUSKOVE KNEDLIKY)

Steps:

• Beat eggs, salt& milk in a large mixing bowl; add flour gradually.
• Continue beating with a large spoon (the dough must be smooth& stiff enough to hold its shape).
• Stir in bread cubes last.
• Have a clean, wet towel ready.
• Shape the dough with wet hands into an oblong, roll in a towel& drop into a large kettle of salted boiling water.
• Boil, covered, for 45 minutes.
• Remove the towel& slice the dumpling 1/2 inch thick (if not sliced immediately, the steam cannot escape& the dumplings will be soggy& hard).
• Keep hot until ready to serve.