Lithuanian Kaldunai (beef Dumplings)
(from Lucianolinda’s recipe box)
Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette- Sandra Miklas
Serves 4 peopleCategories: Appetizers- Snacks
Ingredients
- 2 medium chopped onions
- 2 Lb. ground round
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. allspice
- 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
- 2 Tbsp., salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups water
- Flour
Directions
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Mix together the meat, chopped onion, garlic powder, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and salt. If you like spicy food, you may want to include more of each spice. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, beat 2 eggs, then add 1 1/2 to 2 cups water. Beat water an egg mixture until foamy. Begin gradually adding flour and continue beating until it forms a dough which can be easily handled. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead it well until it no longer sticks to your hands.
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Place all but a fourth of the dough in a bowl, cover it so it won’t dry out, and set it aside. Roll out the remaining fourth to a thickness of about 1/8- inch. Cut the flattened dough into squares about 4 inches on a side. In the center of each square place about 1 teaspoonful of meat mixture.
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Fold the dough around the meat to make a triangle and pinch the edges closed. Set finished dumplings on a floured plate.
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Continue the process with remaining dough, 1/4 at a time until all dough is used. There may be some leftover meat mixture; if so, simply make a little more dough to use it all.
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Carefully drop the kaldunai in a large pot of boiling water. When the water starts to boil again, cook the dumplings for about 15 minutes. Drain and serve with melted butter.
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If there are leftover dumplings, they can be fried in butter for another meal. Do not boil them again.