Elsie Hroneks Kolaches Recipes

SAUSAGE AND GRAVY KOLACHE

Steps:

• For the sausage and gravy filling: Put the Breakfast Sausage into a pan on the stove. Pour the oil into the pan and onto the sausage. Break into bite-sized pieces and turn on the heat. Season and distribute evenly with 1 tablespoon black pepper and 2 tablespoons salt. Mix together and cook the meat until done, about 10 minutes.
• Once the sausage is fully cooked, turn the heat to low and distribute the flour evenly onto the sausage. Make sure the oil and the flour combine to form a thick roux. Once each sausage piece is thoroughly covered with flour, turn the heat back onto high. Add the milk to the pan and stir to break up any sausage clumps. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon pepper and 2 tablespoons salt to the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook, mixing periodically so that the flour does not cook on the bottom of the pan. Once the milk starts to boil, continually stir the mixture as it thickens, ensuring it doesn't burn. Once the sausage starts to "pull" from the sides of the pan, the gravy is cooked completely. Pour into a dish and refrigerate overnight so it gets gelatinous.
• For the dough: In a sauce pan, melt the butter. When melted, whisk in the milk, then pour into a mixer bowl. Add the yeast, flour, sugar, egg yolks and salt to the bowl and mix on low until the mixture is fully incorporated. Turn the mixer up slightly and knead until the dough is smooth. Portion the dough into 3-ounce balls immediately and set aside to proof until the dough is soft and supple, about 30 minutes.
• Building the sausage and gravy kolache: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• When the dough is soft and plump, place a ball into one hand and flatten. Use a spoon to scoop the sausage and gravy filling into the center of the flattened dough in your palm. Pull the outside portion of the dough up and around the filling, pinching the dough closed at the top. Invert the ball with the seam on the bottom and place on a baking sheet. Continue with the remaining dough balls and filling.
• Bake the kolaches until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.
• In a large bowl, add the pork, beef, salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sage and 1 tablespoon cold water and mix thoroughly.

KLOBASNEK (SAUSAGE KOLACHES)

Steps:

• Over medium heat, warm the milk and 4 tablespoons of the butter until the milk is just beginning to steam, but is not boiling, and the butter is melted. Remove from the heat.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yeast, sugar, salt, and 1 1/2 cups of the flour. Pour in the warm milk mixture and stir until a sticky dough has formed. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat together the oil and egg yolks. Pour the eggs into the flour mixture and blend until fully incorporated. Slowly stir in enough of the remaining 2 to 2 1/2 cups flour until the dough comes together and is soft but not sticky. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until it is smooth.
• Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper. After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 8 even-size pieces. In your hands, roll the pieces of dough into balls and then flatten them into disks 4 inches in diameter. In the center of each piece of dough, place 1/2 tablespoon of the cheddar cheese, 2 slices of jalapeño, and a piece of sausage. Fold one side of the dough over the other and roll, then seal by pinching on all sides. Place on the baking sheet 1 inch apart, seam side down. Cover and allow to rise for 45 more minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Brush the tops of the klobasneks with half the melted butter. Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 18 minutes, or until lightly browned. After you remove them from the oven, brush each klobasnek with the remaining melted butter. Serve warm. They are best on the day they are made, but they can be tightly wrapped and then reheated, up to 2 days after baking. They can also be frozen.