Ukrainian Spinach Noodles Recipes

UKRAINIAN NOODLE AND SPINACH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 9 X 3 inch round baking casserole with 1 tablespoon of butter.
• Bring a large pot of "abundantly" salted water to a vigorous boil.
• Add the noodles and cook until al dente.
• Remove the noodles by pulling them out of the water with tongs or a pasta fork and transfer them to a colander; allow the water to continue boiling.
• Transfer noodles to a large bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of melted butter; half of the cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Add the spinach to the boiling pasta water, and cook until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute, then drain the spinach in the colander, squeezing out the excess water with the back of a wooden spoon.
• Finely chop the spinach and set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter over high heat, then add the onion.
• Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the chopped spinach, increase the heat to high, and cook uncovered, stirring almost constantly, until the moisture in the pan has completely evaporated and the spinach as begun to stick slightly to the pan, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and some black pepper.
• Arrange one-third of the noodle mixture in a layer on the bottom of the casserole.
• Place half of the spinach on top.
• Cover the spinach with the next third of the noodle mixture, then cover with the remaining spinach.
• Add the remaining noodle mixture as the top layer.
• In a medium-size skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over high heat, then remove from the burner and stir in the bread crumbs and remaining cup of cheese.
• Quickly sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top of the noodles.
• Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Garnish with the hard-boiled eggs.

UKRAINIAN SPINACH NOODLES

Steps:

• In a bowl toss noodles with one tablespoon butter.
• In a skillet melt the remaining butter over medium low heat. Stir in onion and cook for 5 minutes.
• Stir in spinach and increase heat to high cooking until spinach is limp, tossing occasionally.
• Stir in noodles, cooking and stirring until heated through.
• Transfer noodle mixture to a bowl and toss with cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper. Toss.

UKRAINIAN LOKSHYNA (EGG NOODLES)

Steps:

• Beat the egg slightly and combine with the remaining ingredients to make a stiff dough.
• Knead on a lightly floured board until the dough is smooth.
• Cover and let it stand for 30 minutes.
• Roll to almost paper-thinness and allow it to dry partially.
• Turn the dough over in order to dry the other side slightly.
• It must neither be sticky nor dry and brittle.
• Fold into a roll or cut into 3 inch strips.
• Stack the strips on top of each other.
• Cut the roll or the strips crosswise into fine shreds.
• Separate the shreds by tossing them lightly with the fingers.
• Spread them out to dry.
• The noodles may be used at once or dried thoroughly, and then stored in a covered container for future use.
• When ready to use, drop the noodles into a large quantity of boiling salted water, stir, and cook for about 8 minutes.
• The cooking period will depend on the size of the noodles.
• Strain over a colander or sieve, and then rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
• Use as desired.
• BROAD OR SQUARE LOKSHNA: Follow the preceding recipe for Lokshyna.
• Cut the dough into broad shreds or tiny squares.
• These may be used in various lokshyna dishes.
• LOKSHYNA WITH COTTAGE CHEESE: Here is a nutritious dish which is very simple to make.
• Prepare a desired amount of lokshyna.
• Cook as directed.
• Drain, but do not rinse the lokshyna with cold water.
• Add some melted butter or bacon fat and mix lightly.
• Mix in some fresh cottage cheese and season to taste with salt.
• Top with chopped crisp bacon or salt pork.
• Keep it hot until ready to serve.
• LOKSHYNA WITH EGGS: Follow the preceding recipe, but instead of the cheese use lightly beaten eggs.
• To 1 cup of cooked lokshyna allow about 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 egg.
• Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the cooked lokshyna mixed with the eggs and seasoned with salt.
• Cook and stir as for scrambled eggs.
• Serve immediately.

HOMEMADE SPINACH NOODLES

Steps:

• Put spinach and salt in blender. Pulse a few times until finely chopped, not totally a clear liquid.
• If cooked mashed carrots 1 1/2 cups, if cooked mashed sweet potatoes, 1 1/4 cups.
• (The salt brings out the water in the spinach).
• In large bowl, add flour.
• Make a well in the middle, a deep hole.
• Add beaten eggs, margarine and spinach mix (or carrot or sweet potato mix.).
• Fold the flour in all four direction over the well.
• Then add the water.
• Keep folding the flour over and over.
• If it is too wet, add 1/4 cup flour. Then use hands to mix.
• Knead dough with the back of your palms until it becomes smooth. If it is sticky, add a little more flour.
• Form into a large ball and place in a bowl.
• Cover and let rest for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Divide dough, into 3 portions. Turn out each portion on a floured board, roll to.
• about 1/4 inch thickness. Put through a pasta machine if you have one. If not, try to roll out to 1/8 inch thickness and cut.
• Into 1/2 inch wide noodles. You can dry in the air, I prefer to dry on a tray in the oven at 200°F--it is faster. I turn the noodles a few times before they are dry.
• Note: Some spinach has more water. If it has larger leaves it contains more water than smaller leaves.That is why you need the addition of more flour if needed.
• Store in a air tight container.