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Mutti's Thüringer Klösse ❤️

➤ by Oma Gerhild Fulson

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Mutti's Sunday dumplings - Thüringer Klöße

Thüringer Klösse are THE traditional potato dumpling made from raw potatoes. In Thuringia, a state in the center of Germany, it is said that, "a Sunday without dumplings is no Sunday at all."

What would Mutti serve with these dumplings? Almost anything with gravy. Of course, special were Rouladen. With that, was sweet/sour red cabbage as a side dish. Roast pork was another favorite. With that, Mutti often served Weisskohl. Above, I'm serving them with breaded pork chops and kale.

Another specialty Mutti had was Sauerbraten. Now that was a treat with these dumplings. This was a meal that Mutti would plan days in advance. The meat was always tender, and the gravy was so-o-o good with these potato dumplings.

My Memories of making these ...

I remember spending hours with my Mom making her Thüringer Klösse. My job? Peeling pounds and pounds of potatoes!

This, however, is not a pleasant memory.

Vati had built a potato storage bin in the basement under the stairs (As a child, the basement was my least favorite spot in the house!) Since the potatoes were already down there, and peeling can be a messy job, the laundry tubs were the place to do this.

Pounds and pounds of potatoes.

Or so it seemed. It was probably only about 10 pounds at a time, but for me, it seemed endless. Then grating them (OUCH - the fingers!). Then squeezing the grated potatoes to remove as much liquid as possible.

Then came mixing them with the other ingredients. Finally, they were ready to be cooked. A long process indeed! BUT I LOVED TO EAT THEM!!

Why are the two recipes below so different?

 ... because there is no ONE recipe for any dish, unless of course it's been copyrighted by someone. Traditional means 'handed-down' and my Mutti's recipe was handed down in her family ... and others have the 'same' recipe handed down in their family ... called the same thing, but a totally different recipe.

For example, there is no 'ONE traditional German potato salad' ... rather there are as many traditional German potato salads as there are Omas! 

So, if you're trying to replicate something you've eaten, ask that person for their recipe. If that's not possible, you may need to try various recipes, called the same thing, to get what you remember. On my site, you'll find things that are traditional for me, handed down by my Mutti and Oma. :)

Mutti's Thüringer Klösse ❤️

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb potatoes, baking-type
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 5 tbsp Cream of Wheat (semolina)
  • 4 slices bread (day old)
See Oma's Favorite German Recipes Cookbook

Instructions:

  • Make croutons by cutting bread into cubes and browning in 2 tbsp butter.
  • Peel and grate potatoes into pan of cold water. Put grated potatoes into cheesecloth or clean dishtowel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  • Bring milk to boil. Add 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp butter, and Cream of Wheat. Simmer and stir until mixture forms a ball and leaves sides of pan.
  • Mix Cream of Wheat mixture with grated potatoes.
  • Shape into potato-sized dumplings (sprinkle flour on hands to keep from sticking to dough).
  • Press 1 or 2 croutons into center of each dumpling.
  • Gently drop into boiling water and simmer for about 15 minutes.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and serve, especially with meat and gravy!

Hints:

  • Test cook one dumpling to make sure it stays together, before you cook the rest. If it doesn't stay together, add a bit of potato starch.

Want nutritional information? Copy and paste the above ingredient list and the number of servings into Calorie Count for an approximate calculation.

Need help doing conversions between cups and grams, etc.? Use this site to give you all the different conversions for the different types of ingredients. 

Another recipe for Thüringer Klösse

One of my Facebook Fans sent in his recipe for these. Here's what Thomas Loeffler wrote:

The ingredients (and instructions) are as follows:

  • ⅔ up to ¾ of potatoes to to be used should be peeled, grated, and drained of as much water as possible.
  • The remaining potatoes are cooked, and riced while hot.
  • Meanwhile roast some cubed bread in butter, set aside (I usually leave them out of my dumplings).
  • In meantime heat large pot of salted water to point of simmer.
  • Mix hot riced and drained raw potatoes together, salt, and add hot milk as needed to make a dough that should be neither liquid nor too solid. On depending on moisture contents of potatoes this could be around 250... 300 mL for an original potato weight of 1500 G.
  • Divide dough, for dumpling, and add a few roasted bread cubes in center (if desired).
  • Slowly let them into the simmering water, making sure they have enough room to move inside without touching neighboring dumpling.
  • Depending on type of potato used one may have to add potato starch (from pressed potato water/juice). This comes with experience after the first few attempts.

When dumplings are floating, they are removed from water, drained, and served immediately with meat, gravy, and cabbage. The dumpling should be torn apart with knife and fork prior being drenched with gravy.

I made dumplings a few times, and not every time they are a success. They easily fall apart if the mixture of potatoes and milk isn't right. 

Aber, Übung macht den Meister! :) (Translation: But, practice makes perfect!)

*********

Thanks, Thomas, for sending in your recipe!

You might like these

Leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question?

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

I pop in all the time as well, to chat and to answer questions. 

Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Have Oma by your side ... helping you

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*  *  *  *  *

Want nutritional information for a recipe?

Copy and paste the ingredient list and the number of servings into Calorie Count. 

It will give you an approximate calculation.

Need help doing conversions

between cups and grams or any such thing?

Use this site to give you all the different conversions for the different types of ingredients. 


PIN this... for easy access to recipe while preparing your ingredients and your potato starch 

Mutti's Sunday dumplings - Thüringer Klöße

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❤️ Thüringer Klösse made Just like Oma



By


Thüringer Klösse made Just like Oma


Thüringer Klösse are THE traditional potato dumpling made from raw potatoes. These were my favorites that I grew up with.


Ingredients: potatoes, milk, cream of wheat, bread,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

"Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors Him."

Proverbs 14:31 (NLT)


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