Georg's Schlesische Kartofelkloesse - Potato Dumplings
(Optional Raw Potatoes)
by George
(Ohio)
When asked what she wants to eat for any meal, my daughter has been responding "dumplings" since she was 2.
This recipe is my mother's, who grew up in German Oberschlesien before WWII. It is also rather inexact as to amounts, because, well, as she told me many times, you just have a "feel" for it.
The use or exclusion of the optional ingredients changes the texture and color. For instance, the more raw potatoes you use, the "greyer" the dumplings. I have found that kneading the dough for 10 minutes creates a very smooth, almost silky texture. If that's not important to you, knead it less. In my house, we recognize that the dumplings are different every time - depends on the type and condition of the potatoes, the amounts added for the other ingredients, how long you knead it, etc. - but they're always good.
This recipe will make approximately 15 medium dumplings.
Ingredients
7 medium potatoes
approx. 1 - 1.5 cups potato starch
2 tsp salt
OPTIONAL:
1 egg
OPTIONAL:
1-2 raw peeled and grated potatoes
Directions
Peel, boil and rice the potatoes. In a large mixing bowl, push away the potatoes to create a space that is approximately 1/4 of the potatoes. Fill the space with potato starch. That should be about 1 - 1.5 cups, but may be more or less, depending on the size of the potatoes. Let it cool slightly (20-30 minutes), add salt, egg (optional) and raw grated potato(es) (also optional). Knead as you might bread for 10 minutes. Form into medium balls, then press each ball slightly flat. They should end up about 2.5 inches (diameter) by 1.5 inches (thick).
Boil in salted water. When first added to the pot, they will sink. Boil (rolling boil) for 15 minutes AFTER THEY FLOAT BACK TO THE TOP. Turn off heat, let stand in hot water for 5 minutes before taking them out of the pot. Serve with gravy or butter, a roast, rouladen, or whatever you like. Red cabbage is not a must, but doesn't hurt, as well as some nice steamed green beans.
They are even better the next day sliced and fried! Mmmm!
