Readers' Recipes for Dumplings – Leserrezepte für Knödel (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to perfect dumplings? ›

Don't Overwork the Dumpling Dough

Stir everything together until the wet and dry ingredients are combined and you don't see any more dry flour. The dough might look a little lumpy, but that's okay! Overworking the dough is one of the easiest ways to end up with tough dumplings.

Knödel (German: [ˈknøːdl̩]; sg. and pl. ) or Klöße ( German: [ˈkløːsə]; sg. : Kloß) are boiled dumplings commonly found in Central European and East European cuisine.

What are dumplings made of? The dumpling dough is made of three main ingredients: flour, water and salt. But which flour you use depends on which dumpling you want to make.

There are many types of dumplings in Germany, such as: Dampfnudeln, Germknödel, Grießklöße/ Grießknödel, Semmelknödel, Kartoffelknödel/Kartoffelklöße, Königsberger Klopse, Leberknödel, Zwetschgenknödel and Topfenknödel/Quarkknödel.

For dumplings, 🌾 all-purpose flour 🌾 is typically the best type to use. It has a moderate protein content, which gives the dumplings a tender and soft texture. 🍴 If you want a slightly denser dumpling, you can use 🌾 cake flour 🌾 or 🌾 self-rising flour 🌾, which have lower protein contents.

Knödel comes from the word knode meaning little knot and Kloß originates from Middle High German from the word klō meaning flower bulb, ball, or clump. Written recipes of Knödel and Kloß can be traced back as early as to the 18th century, but these kinds of dumplings are not only typical German.

German potato dumplings, also known as kartoffelklöße or kartoffelknödel, are unique spheres of seasoned potatoes and starch. There are many ways to make classic German potato dumplings, including some using all or part raw potatoes, some using wheat flour, and some using part wheat flour and part starch.

You will usually see these potato dumplings, or Kartoffelklöße (pronounced kartoff-el-kleuz-ze) or Knödel, on the side of our favourite meat dishes, like Sauerbraten, Roast Pork or Beef Rouladen.

Before you even start making your dumplings, first think about how you want to cook them. There are three basic ways: steaming, boiling, and steam-frying.

Some doughs are too dry, so the dumplings won't stay sealed. Others can be too wet and sticky and end up tearing. If the filling isn't cohesive enough, it will tumble out when you bite into it. If there's air trapped in the sealed dumpling, it will balloon during cooking, causing an explosive first bite.

What is the American version of dumplings? ›

Originating in the Pennsylvania region the pierogies have been a staple in the city of Pittsburgh and all over western Pennsylvania. Pierogies are soft semicircular dumplings that are usually filled with potatoes or cheese. However, just like other dumplings, fillings are interchangeable depending on culture.

Dan Jiao (蛋饺) Dan jiao, which translates to “egg dumpling,” are unique types of Chinese dumplings where the filling is wrapped by beaten eggs instead of a flour-based wrapper. This gives it a delicate and fluffy texture, making it a popular choice for breakfast or a light snack.

Jiaozi. Jiaozi (pronounced "jow-zee") are perhaps the most common type of Chinese dumpling. Crescent-shaped and formed with an opaque wrapper made from wheat dough, jiaozi are usually filled with ground pork, cabbage, and scallions, and served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

The trickiest part of the dumplings remaining fluffy lies with the cooking time. If the dumplings are cooked for too long, then they will become hard. If they are cooked and allowed to remain in the heated environment – in the hot liquid or covered in the hot pot, then the dumpling will contract and get hard.

Once your water is boiling, let your dumplings cook in the steam for about ten minutes. Don't remove the lid as letting the steam escape will disrupt the cooking process and result in undercooked dumplings, so keep that lid on!

Don't boil or stir the dumplings.

Vigorous boiling and stirring will cause the dumplings to fall apart.