Lithuanian Kaldunai (beef Dumplings)

Categories: Appetizers- Snacks

Ingredients

• 2 medium chopped onions
• 2 Lb. ground round
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. allspice
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp., salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups water
• Flour

Directions

1. Mix together the meat, chopped onion, garlic powder, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and salt. If you like spicy food, you may want to include more of each spice. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat 2 eggs, then add 1 1/2 to 2 cups water. Beat water an egg mixture until foamy. Begin gradually adding flour and continue beating until it forms a dough which can be easily handled. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead it well until it no longer sticks to your hands.

3. Place all but a fourth of the dough in a bowl, cover it so it won’t dry out, and set it aside. Roll out the remaining fourth to a thickness of about 1/8- inch. Cut the flattened dough into squares about 4 inches on a side. In the center of each square place about 1 teaspoonful of meat mixture.

4. Fold the dough around the meat to make a triangle and pinch the edges closed. Set finished dumplings on a floured plate.

5. Continue the process with remaining dough, 1/4 at a time until all dough is used. There may be some leftover meat mixture; if so, simply make a little more dough to use it all.

6. Carefully drop the kaldunai in a large pot of boiling water. When the water starts to boil again, cook the dumplings for about 15 minutes. Drain and serve with melted butter.

7. If there are leftover dumplings, they can be fried in butter for another meal. Do not boil them again.

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