Best 6 Abruzzese Bread Dumplings Recipes

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In the heart of Italy's Abruzzo region, a culinary gem awaits discovery: the delectable Abruzzese bread dumplings, known as "Palle del Povero" ("balls of the poor"). These savory spheres are a testament to the region's resourceful spirit, utilizing humble ingredients to create a dish that is both hearty and comforting. Made with stale bread, eggs, cheese, and herbs, these dumplings are often served in a rich tomato sauce, embodying the rustic charm of Abruzzo cuisine. Delve into the authentic flavors of Italy with this collection of Abruzzese bread dumpling recipes, each offering a unique twist on this traditional dish. From the classic recipe using simple, fresh ingredients to variations that incorporate vegetables, sausage, or even sweet flavors like raisins and cinnamon, there's a recipe here to satisfy every palate.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SEMMELKNöDEL (GERMAN BREAD DUMPLINGS)



Semmelknödel (German Bread Dumplings) image

A specialty of the Bavaria region of southern Germany, drenched in gravy these SemmelKnödel are simply heaven! Serve them with beef or pork roast, any kind of sauce/gravy, goulash and more!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Side Dish

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 12

11 ounces of white crusty bread (traditionally Brötchen/crispy bread rolls are used)
Note: It's more convenient to use bags of unseasoned bread stuffing - it's already cubed, simply let it dry out a little longer. (I do not advise using croutons though as they're too hard.)
1 cup hot milk
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup very finely diced yellow onion
4 strips bacon, diced and fried until crisp (, optional for a variation called Speckknödel (Bacon Bread Dumplings))
2 large eggs (, lightly beaten with a fork)
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt (you can use less if using bacon)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
breadcrumbs, as needed

Steps:

  • Chop the hardened bread into small cubes and place them in a large bowl. Pour the hot milk over the bread, cover and let sit for 20-30 minutes or until softened.
  • Heat the butter in a frying pan and cook the onions just until transparent, do not brown them. Add the cooked onions to the bread mixture along with the eggs, cooked bacon (if using), parsley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Knead the mixture together with your hands until very thoroughly combined, breaking up as many of the bread cubes as you can until it's a soft and chunky-smooth consistency. If the dough is too wet, add breadcrumbs (not flour).
  • Wet your hands to prevent the dough from sticking and form Knödel about the size of a tennis ball (they will expand slightly when cooked). Press the Knoedel between your palms to make sure they're nice and compact. Bring a large, wide pot of lightly salted water to a very light simmer - not boiling but just on the verge of boiling with tiny fizzy bubbles floating up. Carefully drop the Semmel Knoedel in the water and let them "steep" 15-20 minutes. Do not at any point let the water boil or you risk your Knödel losing shape or falling apart. Carefully lift them out with a slotted spoon. Serve with Rouladen, Sauerbraten, Senfbraten, Geschnetzeltes, Jaegerschnitzel, etc.
  • To Freeze The Knödel: Let them cool completely, place them spread apart on a cookie sheet and freeze them, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To reheat, let them thaw and reheat them covered (to create some steam) in the microwave.
  • Makes 6-7 Semmelknödel, depending on the size.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Knödel, Calories 211 kcal, Carbohydrate 29 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 63 mg, Sodium 714 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 6 g

CZECH BREAD DUMPLINGS (KNEDLíKY)



Czech Bread Dumplings (Knedlíky) image

I'm very excited to be showing you my take on knedlíky. It's easy, fun to make, and incredibly comforting. If you're a fan of dumplings, especially ones that are extraordinarily good at soaking up gravy, you'll want to add these to the rotation. Serve hot with gravy.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Dumplings

Time 3h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup warm milk (105 degrees F (40 degrees C))
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, beaten
2 ¾ cups quick-mixing flour (such as Wondra®), or more as needed

Steps:

  • Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let sit and bloom for about 10 minutes.
  • Add egg and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Pour in 2 ¾ cups flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and forms a dough.
  • Knead on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and slightly elastic, about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, flipping the dough to coat the top in oil. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Transfer back to your work surface; press out the excess air and form dough into a relatively uniform ball.
  • Cut dough into two equal pieces. Form each piece into a uniform ball. Roll each ball into a tube, 2 to 2 ½ inches wide.
  • Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let proof for 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a steady simmer.
  • Carefully pick up a risen piece of dough and transfer to the simmering water. Bring back to a simmer. Cover tightly and let simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover, flip, and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
  • Transfer to a plate and poke all over with a toothpick or wooden skewer, which releases the steam from the center.
  • Use a piece of string or thread to cut into 3/4- to 1-inch dumplings. Transfer to a serving plate.
  • Repeat Steps 9 to 11 to cook remaining dough.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 169.2 calories, Carbohydrate 34.7 g, Cholesterol 25.7 mg, Fat 1.7 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 262.3 mg

SEMMELKNOEDEL (BREAD DUMPLINGS)



Semmelknoedel (Bread Dumplings) image

My Bavarian Oma made these large dumplings to accompany roast pork or game dishes, any meat with gravy, or with mushrooms in a creamy sauce. Serve one dumpling alongside your dish, and cover with a little gravy.

Provided by Peachy

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Dumpling Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (1 pound) loaf stale French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
½ cup dry bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Place the bread cubes into a large bowl. Heat the milk until it starts to bubble at the edges, then pour it over the bread cubes. Stir briefly to coat the bread. Let soak for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until tender. Stir in the parsley, and remove from the heat. Mix into the bowl with the bread along with the eggs, salt and pepper. Use your hands, squeezing the dough through your fingers until it is smooth and sticky.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. The water should be at least 3 or 4 inches deep. When the water is boiling, make a test dumpling about the size of a small orange or tangerine, by patting and cupping between wet hands. Gently drop into the boiling water. If it falls apart, the dough is too wet. In this case, stir some bread crumbs into the rest of the dumpling batter.
  • Form the remaining dough into large dumplings, and carefully drop into the boiling water. Simmer for 20 minutes, then remove to a serving plate with a large slotted spoon. They should come out soft, spongy and delicious!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.1 calories, Carbohydrate 78.8 g, Cholesterol 113.1 mg, Fat 12.3 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1220.1 mg, Sugar 7.9 g

TRADITIONAL CZECH BREAD DUMPLINGS



Traditional Czech Bread Dumplings image

This is a traditional Czech recipe for bread dumplings (houskovy knedlik). They usually accompany roast loin of pork and braised sweet-sour cabbage.

Provided by Barbara Rolek

Categories     Side Dish     Bread

Time 1h50m

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups milk
10 slices bread (about 4 cups, crusts removed, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
  • Whisk together egg yolks and milk in a separate medium bowl.
  • Pour the egg-milk mixture into the bowl with flour.
  • Work the dough-with a Danish dough whisk, hands, or a stand mixer with the dough hook-until it no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
  • Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
  • Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a slow boil.
  • Work the 4 cups of bread cubes into the batter by hand or in a stand mixer with the dough hook until well incorporated.
  • Shape the dough using floured hands into 3 or 4 rolls that are about 8 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide.
  • Carefully slip the rolls into the water once it is boiling, giving them a stir so they don't stick. If the pot doesn't comfortably fit all the rolls, boil them in batches.
  • Reduce heat, cover, and cook 10 to 15 minutes. Cooking the rolls at a rapid boil can cause them to disintegrate.
  • Remove 1 dumpling from the pot using a slotted spoon after 10 minutes of cooking and test for doneness by cutting through the middle of the dumpling with a thread or sharp knife. The dumpling is done when the knife comes out almost clean after slicing it.
  • Remove the dumplings one by one when done and slice into 3/4-inch pieces using either a thread or sharp knife. Repeat until all dumplings are removed from the water and sliced.
  • Serve warm with gravy and garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 378 kcal, Carbohydrate 69 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 511 mg, Sugar 5 g, Fat 5 g, ServingSize 8 Servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

ABRUZZESE BREAD DUMPLINGS



Abruzzese Bread Dumplings image

Number Of Ingredients 14

12 ounces loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups)
2 cups cool water
3 large eggs
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
vegetable oil for frying
SAUCE
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
2 (28-ounce) cans imported Italian peeled tomatoes with their juice, chopped
1 tiny dried peperoncino, crumbled, or a pinch of crushed red pepper
salt
6 fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • 1 Cut or tear the bread into tiny bits or grind the bread in a food processor into coarse crumbs. Soak the bread in the water for 20 minutes. Squeeze the bread to remove the excess water. 2 In a large bowl, beat the eggs, cheese, parsley, and garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the crumbled bread and mix very well. If the mixture seems dry, stir in another egg. Mix well. Shape the mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. 3 Pour enough oil to reach a depth of 1/2 inch into a large heavy skillet. Heat the oil over medium heat until a drop of the bread mixture sizzles when it is placed in the oil. 4 Add the balls to the skillet and cook, turning carefully, until golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Drain the balls on paper towels. 5 To make the sauce, in a large saucepan, cook the onion in the olive oil over medium heat until tender. Add the tomatoes, peperoncino, and salt to taste. Simmer 15 minutes or until slightly thickened. 6 Add the bread balls and baste them with the sauce. Simmer 15 minutes more. Sprinkle with the basil. Serve with additional cheese. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves

BREAD DUMPLINGS



Bread Dumplings image

We found this recipe in a cookbook belonging to DH's grandmother: 60th anniversary Slovak-American Cookbook produced by the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union in 1952. It tastes just like the bread dumplings we ate in Prague. ZWT 3: Eastern Europe

Provided by lucid501

Categories     Breads

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup lukewarm water
3 slices bread, cubed

Steps:

  • Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
  • Add beaten egg.
  • Add the lukewarm water and mix well with wooden spoon.
  • Add bread.
  • Mix well and roll into oblong dumplings.
  • Place into boiling water, cover and cook about 20 minutes, stirring once.
  • (We just used two teaspoons to drop pieces of dough into the water without shaping them first, and it worked fine).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 296.3, Fat 2.5, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 52.9, Sodium 819.5, Carbohydrate 57.6, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 1.1, Protein 9.5

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh bread, vegetables, and herbs will give your dumplings the best flavor.
  • Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will make the dumplings tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Let the dumplings rest before cooking: This will help them hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart.
  • Cook the dumplings in a flavorful broth: This will add extra flavor and moisture to the dumplings.
  • Serve the dumplings immediately: They are best when served hot and fresh.

Conclusion:

Abruzzese bread dumplings are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect bread dumplings every time. So next time you have some leftover bread, don't throw it away! Use it to make these delicious and satisfying dumplings.

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