In the realm of culinary delights, Polish cuisine stands out with its rich flavors and comforting dishes, one of which is the beloved kopytka mashed potato dumplings. These delectable morsels, also known as "kluski śląskie," have captured the hearts of food enthusiasts with their pillowy texture, subtle yet distinctive taste, and versatility as a side dish or main course. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, embarking on a culinary journey to create the perfect kopytka dumplings can be both enjoyable and rewarding. This article will guide you through the intricacies of this traditional Polish recipe, providing step-by-step instructions, essential tips, and a delightful selection of variations to suit every palate.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
POLISH KOPYTKA (POTATO DUMPLINGS)
This is a very simple and traditional Polish recipe. Its very similar to Italian Gnocchi. There are 2 toppings included with the dumpling recipe.
Provided by Nana Lee
Categories Potato
Time 20m
Yield 5-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Peel and boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender.
- Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool.
- Process the potatoes through a ricer (or just mash them until there are no lumps)
- Place the potatoes in a bowl.
- Add about 1 1/2 cup of flour, 1 egg, and about 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Mix by hand until the ingredients are combined.
- Add more flour, as needed, until the mixture becomes a soft dough consistency.
- Flour a flat working surface, transfer the dough to the surface, and knead the dough until it is smooth and pliable.
- Cut a small chunk of the dough and using your hands roll it out into a "snake" that is about 1 inch thick.
- Cut the rolled out dough on a diagonal into approximately 1/2 inch pieces.
- Repeat until you have the desired amount of pieces or you use up all the dough.
- Boil water in a large pot.
- When the water boils add salt.
- Drop the dough pieces into the boiling water. Do not overcrowd the pot.
- Allow the pieces to float to the surface and boil for another 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the kopytka from the water using a slotted spoon.
- Repeat until all are cooked.
- Serve with one of the toppings listed below or with mushroom gravy.
- ONION TOPPING:
- Melt butter in a pan.
- Add the onions and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Saute the onions until they are a nice golden color.
- Serve over the kopytka.
- BREADCRUMB TOPPING:
- Melt butter into a pan.
- Add breadcrumbs.
- Allow the breadcrumbs to brown slightly.
- The consistency of this mixture should be moist, yet crumbly.
- Add more butter melted butter if needed.
- Serve over the kopytka.
KOPYTKA - POLISH POTATO DUMPLINGS
Tender little potato dumplings
Provided by Polish Housewife
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- With the skins on, boil potatoes until tender, cool and then peel
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
- Mash the potatoes thoroughly or process with a potato ricer
- Stir in the egg and salt
- Add enough flour to create a smooth dough, stirring just enough to incorporate the flour, overworking will make for tough dumpings
- Take a small amount of the dough and roll on a floured surface to form a rope about 3/4 inch in diamter
- Slice the rope on the diagional about 1/2 inch apart
- Boil in salted water about 4 minutes without over crowding the pan, you'll do multiple batches
- Remove from the water with a slotted spoon
- Serve topped with buttered bread crumbs, pan drippings, gravy or sugar
KOPYTKA RECIPE (POLISH POTATO DUMPLINGS)
Kopytka are delicious, tender, melt-in-your mouth Polish potato dumplings.
Provided by Aleksandra
Categories Side Dish
Time 28m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Peel and cook the potatoes until fork-tender. Drain and put back in the pot. Put the pot back on the burner and cook the drained potatoes for about a minute over medium heat to let the excess moisture evaporate. Take the pot off the heat.
- Mash the potatoes (while still hot). The best tool for mashing potatoes is a potato ricer but you can also use a regular potato masher. Do not mash them for too long.
- Let the potatoes cool (they can be cold or just slightly warm).
- Add lightly beaten egg, salt, and flour to the potatoes.
- Knead the dough until it comes together but do not overwork it (I usually start mixing the ingredients with a wooden spoon and then knead it with my hands). You can add more flour if the dough does not come together and is sticky. The amount of flour specified in the recipe is an estimate - the amount of the flour needed may be different depending on the potatoes and the flour type/brand. The dough should be soft but not sticky, it should hold together.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 parts. Roll each part into 1,5-2 inch (4-5cm) thick logs. You can dust the dough and your hands lightly with flour. Cut at an angle into 2-inch (5 cm) dumplings.
- Cook the dumplings in batches (about 10 dumplings per batch) in a large pot filled with salted water, about 2-3 minutes, counting from the moment when the dumplings float to the surface of the water. The cooking time may be different depending on the size of the dumplings - you can cook test one dumpling and cut it in half to see if there is raw batter in the middle.
- Remove from the pot with a slotted spoon.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 229 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving
POLISH MASHED POTATO DUMPLINGS (KOPYTKA)
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Place mashed or ground potatoes in a large bowl. Add egg, salt, and as much flour as necessary to form a smooth, cohesive dough. But don't overwork the dough because it will toughen.
- Put a large saucepan of salted water on to boil.
- On a lightly floured surface and with lightly floured hands, roll pieces of dough into 1/2-inch-thick cylinders. Cut at an angle into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces. Repeat with the remainder of the dough.
- Drop dumplings into the boiling water (in batches, if necessary, so as not to overcrowd) and return to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer 1 to 5 minutes (remove one with a slotted spoon to test for doneness).
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer cooked dumplings to a colander and drain.
- If serving with polonaise topping, melt the butter in a small skillet. Add the breadcrumbs and fry for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer drained dumplings to a serving dish and sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs on top. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 274 kcal, Carbohydrate 56 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 133 mg, Sugar 1 g, Fat 1 g, ServingSize 4 portions (4 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
POLISH KOPYTKAMI POTATO DUMPLINGS
My Babcia (Polish Grandma) made these every new year. They are inexpensive, easy to make and very tasty. They are certainly not a "healthy" dish, but for special occasions or a nice reminder of childhood, they are worth every calorie and gram of fat. Don't skimp on the salt. Potatoes need a lot of seasoning to taste good. Also, the bacon and bacon fat really make this dish. Like I said, this is a special occasion treat.
Provided by Ohio Margaret
Categories Polish
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Start a 4-6 quart pot of water to boil. Using lots of water for the dumplings to swim in is very important. When it starts to boil, salt the water liberally. Keep covered and on a simmer while mixing the potatoes so it's ready to boil when you are ready to make the dumplings.
- Peel then grate potatoes with a grating blade (smallest holes) in a food processor. Remove any chunks. Strain potatoes in a strainer (not a colander) until water from potatoes is removed. Press on the potatoes to remove as much water as possible. The more water left in the potatoes, the more flour you'll need and you'll have less potato taste in the end.
- Put potatoes in a large bowl and add salt. Mix with a rubber spatula or large spoon.
- Lightly mix eggs in a cup with a fork and add to potatoes. Mix.
- Add flour to potatoes, starting with 1 cup. Mix and continue to add flour until the potatoes are the consistency between pancake batter and bread dough. You shouldn't be able to pour it but you shouldn't be able to knead it either. If you wish, taste potato mixture to check salt.
- Cut bacon into 1/2-1 inch chunks. Fry in a high-sided frying pan on medium heat until limp, not crunchy. Set aside off heat or on lowest heat.
- Bring water back to boil. The water shouldn't be a full rolling boil. It will cause the dumplings to fall apart. Keep the water at just a gentle boil.
- Test one dumpling by using a teaspoon and drop in a dollop of potato mixture (about the size of a large cherry). It will plump up. See if the dumpling holds together. It should sink to the bottom of the pot and when cooked fully it will float. If it falls apart (water starts to fill with bits of potato mixture) add more flour, about 1/4 cup at a time. Test again until it holds together.
- The water will become cloudy and little bits of potato will appear over the course of boiling the dumplings. This is normal. The dumplings will look shaggy, not round or perfect. You can stir them gently during cooking to keep them from sticking together.
- As the dumplings float, take them out with a slotted spoon or strainer and put directly in the bacon pan. Mix all the dumplings in the bacon pan until coated with bacon grease. Taste and add salt as needed. Serve.
- Save a cup of potato water and add as needed to dumplings when reheating the next day.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 391.1, Fat 6.5, SaturatedFat 2.1, Cholesterol 98.4, Sodium 700.1, Carbohydrate 70.6, Fiber 6.7, Sugar 2.2, Protein 12.7
Tips:
- For the best results, use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold. These potatoes will mash easily and create a smooth dough.
- Be careful not to overcook the potatoes. Overcooked potatoes will be too watery and make the dumplings gummy.
- Use a ricer or a fine mesh strainer to mash the potatoes. This will help to create a smooth dough without any lumps.
- Add the flour gradually until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix the dough, or the dumplings will be tough.
- Boil the dumplings in salted water until they float to the top. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the dumplings immediately with your favorite sauce or gravy.
Conclusion:
Kopytka are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. They are easy to make and can be customized with different flavors and ingredients. Whether you are looking for a traditional Polish dish or a new and exciting way to enjoy mashed potatoes, kopytka are a great option.
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