Entree: Slovakia – Southern Culinary Region – Bryndzové Halušky (Potato dumplings tossed with tangy bryndza sheep cheese and topped with fried smoked bacon)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 40 min

Cook 15 min

Total 55 min

Ingredients

- 2 lb (900 g) starchy potatoes, peeled
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp (6 g) fine salt, plus more for boiling water
- 8 oz (225 g) bryndza sheep cheese
- 6 oz (170 g) smoked bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) lard, butter, or vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) sour cream (optional, to loosen cheese if desired)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Keep it at a gentle boil for dropping halušky.
2. Grate the peeled potatoes on the finest side of a box grater into a bowl. Add the egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and about 1 3/4 cups (210 g) of the flour; mix into a sticky, slightly elastic dough. Add remaining flour gradually only if dough is too wet.
3. Using a halušky maker, a large-holed grater, or a wet tablespoon, press or drop small dumplings into the boiling water. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
4. Cook the halušky until they float plus 2–3 minutes more, then remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a warm bowl. Repeat until all dough is cooked.
5. While dumplings cook, fry the diced bacon in a skillet over medium heat until fat renders and pieces are crisp, about 6–8 minutes. Remove crisp bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the bacon fat, sauté the chopped onion until soft and golden, about 4–5 minutes.
6. In the warm bowl with drained halušky, crumble the bryndza cheese over the dumplings and toss gently so the heat melts the cheese and coats the halušky. If mixture is too thick, stir in up to 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sour cream or a tablespoon of reserved bacon fat to loosen.
7. Stir in most of the sautéed onions and toss to combine. Plate the halušky and finish by sprinkling the crisp bacon and remaining onions on top. Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.