Sunday, March 18, 2007

vepřo-knedlo-zelo




Pork, dumplings, and saurkraut. This is one of my favorite dishes that my made made while I was a kid and the national dish of Bohemia. As a family we still have this dish at holidays, but not so much in between. I had bought a nice pork roast on sale and decided it was time to make this ols classic myself. The dumplings that my family always made are knedlicky hoskovy, or bread dumplings. These are very large, small loaf dumplings with cubes of bread added. They are extremely satisfying dumplings and we always make plentyt of extra for leftovers. What do you do with leftover giant dumplings? Well, my favorite is to cut them up into cubes, saute in butter until golden and then crack a few eggs over the top, keep things moving to coat the dumplings well, season and enjoy. This is a heary breakfast or even a nice dinner if served with stewed tomatoes. I can't get enough of those dumplings.

Anyhow, back to the pork. The pork I roasted in the oven after giving it a nice spice rub consisting of salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, mustard powder, and a little garlic powder. To the saurkraut I add about a teaspoon or so of caraway seeds per pound. In the photo I served this with a pork and red bell pepper gravy, which came out a little too sweet. I'd like a more savory pork and sage gravy instead. Here's the recipe for the dumplings:

1 C Flour
1 Egg in 1/2 C Milk, beat lightly
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
3 slices Bread (cube & toast until golden)

Mix the dry ingredients together, add the egg & milk mixture, and fold in the bread cubes. Form the dumpling into a round loaf, dusting with flour so it doesn't stick to you or the board. Boil for 15-20 minutes.

Note: The egg and milk mixture is very dependent on the number of dumplings you make. For each dumpling use a 1/2 Cup measure, add the egg then top off the measure with milk. So, for two dumplings you would add two eggs to a 1 Cup measure, then top of the measure with milk. Three dumplings would require three eggs in a measure and milk add to get to 1-1/2 Cup. Get it? Every other ingredient is straight multiples.

I hope you give these dumplings a try, either as part of Vepro-knedlo-zelo or with eggs. Either way I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Dobre podjme jist (ok, let's eat!).