Yeast Strudel Dough Food

STRUDEL DOUGH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt.
• Mix sugar, eggs and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a small bowl. Quickly stir into the flour mixture. Mix in approximately 1/2 the water. Knead into a soft, pliable dough, using more of the water as necessary.
• Cover dough with a tea towel and allow to sit at least 1 hour while desired filling is prepared. To use, divide into two parts. Cover half the dough with plastic wrap while you roll out the other.
• Carefully stretch the dough into paper thinness on a lightly floured surface (a clean cotton sheet is ideal) and lightly brush with remaining vegetable oil. Fill and bake as desired.

YEAST STRUDEL DOUGH

Steps:

• Cut the flour, butter, and salt together as for pastry.
• Have the sour cream and egg yolks at room temperature.
• Dissolve the yeast in the sour cream and add to the flour-butter mixture along with the egg yolks.
• Stir all together and knead with the hands until mixture is smooth.
• Brush the dough with butter and chill for 8 hours, or overnight.
• When ready to use, place the dough on a lightly floured board, pat it down, and then turn it over so that both sides are floured.
• Using a rolling pin, roll the dough as thin as possible.
• It will make a long, very thin sheet of dough which may be cut in two to make two Strudels.
• Spread dough with filling, keeping filling short of the edges.
• Fold sides of dough over the filling, then roll the dough carefully and seal the edges so that the filling does not seep out.
• Lift the roll carefully and place in a buttered shallow baking pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes, or until browned and done.

BASIC YEAST DOUGH

Steps:

• Put the yeast in a small bowl, add the water, and set aside for 1 minute to soften. Whisk in the oil to blend and dissolve the yeast. Set aside.
• To make the dough in a food processor, combine the sugar, baking powder, and flour in the work bowl. Pulse two or three times to combine. With the motor on, pour the yeast mixture through the feed tube in a steady stream and allow the machine to continue running, for about 20 seconds, or until the dough starts coming together into a ball. (If this doesn't happen, add lukewarm water by the teaspoon.) Let the machine continue for 45 to 60 seconds to knead most of the dough into a large ball that cleans the sides of the bowl; expect some dangling bits. Press on the finished dough; it should feel medium-soft and tacky but should not stick to your finger. To make the dough by hand, combine the sugar, baking powder, and flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Slowly stir with a wooden spoon, moving from the center toward the rim, to work in all the flour. (Add lukewarm water by the teaspoon if this doesn't happen with relative ease.) Keep stirring as a ragged, soft mass forms. Then use your fingers to gather and pat the dough together into a ball. Transfer to a work surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth, fingertip soft, and slightly elastic. (You shouldn't need any additional flour on the work surface if the dough was properly made. Keep kneading and after the first minute or two, the dough shouldn't stick to your fingers. If it does, work in a sprinkling of flour.) Press your finger into the dough; the dough should spring back, with a faint indentation remaining.
• Regardless of the mixing method, lightly oil a clean bowl and add the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm, draft-free place (for example, in an oven with the light on) to rise for about 45 minutes, or until nearly doubled. The dough is now ready to use.
• Though the dough can be left to sit for an hour or so after it has doubled, it's best to have the filling already prepared, especially if it requires cooking and cooling. Alternatively, punch down the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Return the dough to room temperature before using.
• fitting dumplings into your life
• During the course of developing recipes for this book, I prepared and ate a lot of dumplings, and so did my friends, family, and recipe testers. On their own, dumplings make great snacks any time of the day, and I can attest to that as I taste-tested freshly cooked ones throughout the day. Feel free to serve any of the savory dumplings in this book as an appetizer or first course. Each of the sweet dumplings can be presented for dessert or as part of afternoon tea.
• But one of the great things about dumplings is that you can easily make an entire meal based around them. Just remember that in one savory filled dumpling, you have both protein and starch. Add a simple vegetable dish, and you're done.
• For example, in advance of poaching or steaming dumplings, I often blanch green vegetables such as broccoli, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), or green beans in the pot of boiling water. I either serve the veggie as-is, dipped in the same dipping sauce as the dumplings, or I quickly stir-fry it with garlic and oyster sauce or sesame oil and salt.
• Instead of featuring a dumpling as a meal's main dish, present it as a side dish. For example, Sticky Rice and Chicken in Lotus Leaf (page 170) is relatively starchy, making it a perfect accompaniment to a pork roast.
• Sometimes, dumplings can be a meal unto themselves. My husband and I are quite satisfied making a meal of warming bowls of savory dumplings in soup. We often enjoy steamed and baked buns on road trips and as airplane fare.

SOUR CREAM APPLE STRUDEL

Steps:

• For pastry, cut chilled butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; add sour cream and salt, mixing well.
• Shape dough into ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• For filling, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter; add apples, sugar, and cinnamon, mixing well.
• Divide chilled dough into thirds and turn onto floured surface; roll each portion into 15x12 inch rectangle.
• Spoon filling evenly onto each piece of dough and spread to within 1 inch of edges.
• Roll dough up from one long side, and pinch seams and ends to seal.
• Place the three strudels seam side down on a baking sheet or in a large baking dish.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes, or until light brown.

STRUDEL DOUGH

Steps:

• Stir the flour and salt together in a bowl of an electric mixer.
• Beat the egg and oil together with a fork in a 1-cup liquid measuring cup. Add enough warm water to make 2/3 cup.
• Use a rubber spatula to mix the liquid into the flour; make sure no flour remains on the side of the bowl and clean off the spatula.
• Attach the dough hook to an electric mixer and mix the dough on low speed until it begins to hold together, about 5 minutes. Increase the speed a couple of notches to just below medium and mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, another 5 minutes.
• Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 1 minute. Coat a small bowl with a very thin layer of oil and invert the dough into it; turn the dough over so that the top is oiled, and directly cover the surface of the dough with plastic wrap. Let rest for at least one hour or up to overnight.