Potato-Cheese Dumplings (Varškes-Bulviu Tinginiai) - Lit
"From the Lithuanian blog "Dideli eksperimentai mazoje virtuveje". Mother used to make a similar dumpling with just the cheese and flour, we called them "varškeciai". I really liked this version with potatoes - think gnocchi. These types of dishes are very typical Lithuanian farmhouse fare. The basics of this flour - milk, potatoes, flour - would have been available year round at any farmhouse, and I am sure they were featured at breakfast, lunch or dinner, as needed. While I have always eaten this as an entree, I am sure it would be great as a sidedish, also."
photo by Jostlori
- Ready In:
- 40mins
- Ingredients:
- 10
- Serves:
-
4
ingredients
- 250 g boiled potatoes (mashed or riced)
- 150 g flour
- 400 g farmer's cheese (varske, tvarog, dry curd cottage cheese)
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons potato starch
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons salt
-
Serve with
- bacon bits (optional)
- sour cream
- melted butter
directions
- I prefer ricing the potato, as you are guaranteed no lumps. If mashing, mash very, very thoroughly.
- Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl. Knead until a smooth dough forms. (I knead it right in the bowl). If it's very sticky, add some more potato starch (my preference - lighter texture) or flour. It should be soft and tacky, but not overly sticky.
- Put a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil.
- Turn out onto a floured board and divide into four to six pieces.
- Roll out each piece into a cylinder about the thickness of your thumb, and cut into 1 inch size pieces. Place pieces onto a floured platter until your water boils.
- Drop the dumplings into the boiling water and give it a stir, to make sure they don't stick. Don't crowd the pot - boil in batches. The dumplings will rise quickly and give them an additional minute.
- Scoop out with a slotted spoon into a colander and let drain for a minute or so.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or individual dishes, and serve with melted butter, sour cream, bacon bits. I think some sauteed mushrooms would also be nice. Traditionally you serve with just butter and sour cream.
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Reviews
-
These dumplings are simply excellent! Easy to make for a great side dish. We loved these with the sour cream and bacon bits (what's not to love???). The dumplings are tender and fluffy. Can't wait to have these again!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
duonyte
United States
My screen name is a diminutive in Lithuanian for bread, so you won't be suprised to learn that I love to bake bread. In recent years I have been baking a lot of sourdough breads and have several starters sitting in my refrigerator. But I like to cook a lot of other things, as well, especially from various cultures. The cat wishes I would concentrate on meat and fish... I joined a few years ago but started posting recipes and participating in forums just recently - I wish I had done so earlier. Recipezaar is a great community! Right now I am a co-host for the Breads and Baking and the Eastern Europe forums - I hope to see you there!
