Potato Knishes
What's a wedding or bar mitzvah without finger food? A big part of Jewish cooking are foods that can be picked up and eaten while socializing. Try this recipe for potato knishes by Mama Batalin.
Yield: approximately 60 knishes
Ingredients
- FILLING
- 4 large onions sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 1/2 lbs. russet (baking) potatoes
- Salt to taste
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- DOUGH
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil plus additional for rolling the dough
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (about)
Directions
- Slowly cook the onions in the oil in a skillet, covered, over a low heat. Let the onions "sweat" for about 20 minutes, or until they are soft. Then remove the cover and fry over a medium heat until golden brown. Don't drain.
- Meanwhile peel the potatoes and cut them in half. Put them in a large pot filled with cold water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down, and cook until soft, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool for 5 minutes.
- Mash the potatoes and add the egg, the parsley, salt, and pepper. Add the onions with the oil and mix well with your hands. Set aside while preparing the dough.
- Beat the eggs and reserve about 1 tablespoon of egg for the glaze. Mix the rest with the oil, water, vinegar, and salt. Add the flour gradually, beating first with a spoon and eventually your hands as you knead the dough. Continue to add enough flour to make a smooth dough. Shape into 4 balls and let rest, covered with a cloth, about a half hour to relax the gluten.
- Roll each ball of dough out as thin as possible into a flat rectangle. Flour well and place between 2 sheets of waxed paper. Let sit for about 15 minutes.
- Using your hands carefully stretch each rectangle as thin as possible, about 12 to 14 inches long by 4 to 5 inches wide. Spread one quarter of the filling (about 1 1/2 cups) onto approximately one third of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Holding onto the waxed paper, roll up the dough like a jelly roll, brushing oil across the top a couple of times as you roll. Using the side of your hand like a knife, divide the roll into 2-inch knishes. Then pinch the open ends shut. Repeat with the remaining balls and dough. Place the knishes, flat side down, on a greased cookie sheet, leaving a 2-inch space between each. You will have to bake in batches.
- Mix the reserved tablespoon of egg with a little water. Brush the tops with the egg wash and bake in a preheated 375-clegree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.