Start by preparing the oil so it has time to infuse with flavor. In a small pot, bring water to a boil. In a separate bowl, pour very cold water with ice. Drop a bunch of dill into the boiling water for 15 seconds – this is the blanching process that will preserve the beautiful green color. Immediately after removing it with a slotted spoon, transfer the dill to the ice-cold water for 30 seconds to stop the cooking process. Thoroughly dry the dill on a paper towel – the less water, the better the oil.
Description
Here is a deconstruction and modernization of an absolute classic of Polish cuisine – Silesian dumplings. Traditional, delicate, and soft potato dumplings that in this version gain a completely new dimension of flavor and elegance. Instead of a heavy gravy, we serve them with a velvety, deeply aromatic sauce made from forest mushrooms that envelops each dumpling. The element of surprise is the innovative powder made from crispy, smoked bacon – it adds intense saltiness, smoky aroma, and an extraordinary texture that contrasts with the softness of the dumplings. The dish is crowned with an intensely green, fresh dill oil that cuts through the creaminess, adds an herbal note, and makes the dish look like it’s from a fine dining restaurant. This dish is a tribute to tradition, but served in a way that will delight contemporary palates and show that Polish cuisine can be light, surprising, and incredibly stylish.
Ingredients (15)
- Type C potatoes (starchy) 1000 g
- Potato starch 250 g
- Egg yolk 1.1 szt.
- Boczek wędzony parzony 100 g
- Dried porcini mushrooms 20 g
- Fresh mushrooms (e.g. chanterelles, porcini, oyster mushrooms) 300 g
- Shallot onion 4 szt.
- Garlic 2 ząbki
- Masło 82% 30 g
- 30% cream 200 ml
- Fresh dill 1 pęczek
- refined rapeseed oil 100 ml
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 8 g
- Pieprz czarny świeżo mielony 2 szczypty
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Walnuts 30 g
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Preparation steps
Dill Oil
Transfer the blanched and dried dill to a blender container. Add canola oil and a pinch of salt. Blend on high speed for about 2-3 minutes until you achieve a smooth, intensely green liquid. Pour the oil through a very fine sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a clean jar. Set aside.
Bacon Powder
Heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Arrange the bacon slices side by side, making sure they do not touch. Cook slowly for 10-15 minutes, turning regularly, until the bacon is very crispy and dark golden brown. Be careful not to burn it. Transfer the finished, crispy slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Leave to cool completely - it will become even crispier.
When the bacon chips are completely cool and hard, transfer them to a mortar or a small blender/coffee grinder. Grind into a fine powder. If using a mortar, grind until you achieve the desired consistency. If using a blender, pulse briefly to avoid turning the bacon into a paste. Store in an airtight container until serving.
Silesian Dumplings
Thoroughly wash the potatoes and cook them in their skins in salted water until soft, about 20-25 minutes. Check with a fork to see if they are ready - it should go in easily. Drain them and let them cool slightly, then peel while they are still warm. Once completely cooled, pass the potatoes through a potato ricer or grind them in a meat grinder until smooth.
Transfer the potato mixture to a large bowl and smooth the surface. Divide the mixture with a knife into four equal parts (like a cake). Remove one quarter of the potatoes and set it aside (you can place it on top of the remaining potatoes). In the empty space, pour in the potato starch, filling it to the brim. Add back the set-aside potatoes, the egg yolk, and a pinch of salt. Now quickly, but gently, knead all the ingredients with your hands, just until combined into a smooth, elastic dough.
From the prepared dough, tear off small portions and shape them into balls the size of a walnut (about 3-4 cm in diameter) in your hands. Slightly flatten each ball, then use your index finger to make a characteristic indentation in the center, creating a 'hole'. Place the finished dumplings on a board or countertop lightly dusted with potato starch to prevent sticking.
Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Soak the dried mushrooms in 200 ml of boiling water and let them sit for 20-30 minutes to soften. Meanwhile, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Clean the fresh mushrooms with a brush or a damp cloth (do not wash under running water, as they will soak up water) and cut them into smaller pieces. Peel and finely chop the shallot and garlic.
In a large skillet, heat the butter (you can add a bit of bacon fat). Add the chopped shallot and sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute until it releases its aroma. Increase the heat, add the fresh mushrooms, and sauté until they are browned and the water evaporates. Add the soaked and chopped dried mushrooms. Season everything with salt and pepper, pour in the mushroom soaking water, and cook for 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat under the pan to the minimum. Slowly pour in the 30% cream, constantly stirring to combine it with the sauce. Gently heat for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Do not bring to a boil to prevent the cream from curdling. Taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary. The sauce is ready.
Final Cooking and Serving
In a large, wide pot, bring a large amount of salted water to a boil (about 1 teaspoon of salt per liter of water). When the water starts to boil vigorously, reduce the heat so that it only gently 'bubbles'. Carefully add the dumplings in batches to the water, one by one. Gently stir with a wooden spoon to prevent them from sticking to the bottom. Cook for about 2-3 minutes from the moment they float to the surface. Remove them with a slotted spoon.
On deep plates, place a portion of hot dumplings. Generously drizzle them with creamy mushroom sauce, ensuring the sauce fills the indentations in the dumplings. Sprinkle the entire dish generously with prepared bacon powder. Drizzle the dish with a few drops of intensely green dill oil. Additionally, if using, sprinkle the dish with toasted and chopped walnuts. Serve immediately.
Fun Fact
The traditional method of measuring starch for Silesian dumplings (removing 1/4 of the potatoes and replacing it with starch) is passed down from generation to generation in Silesia. It guarantees the perfect ratio and consistency of the dumplings regardless of the type of potatoes used.
Best for
Tips
Serve the dish in deep, wide plates, preferably in a solid, dark color that beautifully highlights the green of the oil and the light color of the sauce. Before serving, you can garnish the plate with a sprig of fresh thyme or dill. A light white wine, such as a dry Riesling, pairs well with the dish.
Raw dumplings can be frozen - arrange them on a tray so they do not touch, and after freezing, transfer them to a bag. Cook the frozen dumplings by dropping them into boiling water (do not thaw beforehand), extending the cooking time by 2-3 minutes. Mushroom sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bacon powder and dill oil should be kept in airtight jars in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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