I haven’t made my chicken paprikas in a long time but the chicken has been waiting in the freezer. You have to have it with dumplings so I’d best cover dumpling-making in preparation.
In Hungarian these are called nokedli or galuska. When I went to visit my Grandma’s village in Hungary, I said dumpling in Hungarian and my aunt warned me that I said it the gypsy way and that I should say it the other way. But I can’t remember now which way she thought was which! I hope I get to go back someday even though I can’t remember how to say much more than, “I missed my train.”
I like to make dumplings tiny, like German spatzle. Some places make them bigger, like teaspoon size. If I see a big dumpling slipped past me in the pot, I use the knife to cut it. Once the dumplings are done, you can use them in stews, soups, and all of the paprikas dishes. You can also fry them in butter and onions, etc. I’ll do more with them later.
The dough will be thick and sticky. Cut it into dumplings in small batches. One recipe is enough for 3-4 people as part of a main dish. If you double it, move the first batch of dumplings into a bowl with a slotted spoon before starting the second batch so they aren’t overcrowded in the pot.
I’m showing two different ways of cutting the dough into dumplings in the videos. In case you can’t hear the video well, the dumpling drops into the pot and sinks, then rises up as it cooks. After you get the dumplings into the pot, let them continue cooking for 3-5 minutes. If you press one against the side of the pot with a utensil, it will feel firm when it’s done. Toss them with a teaspoon of butter or oil to keep them from sticking together in the bowl.
Dumplings
2 eggs (it will work if you only have 1)
1 C water
2 -2 1/3 C flour
1 t salt, divided in half
Boil a big pot of water with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Beat egg and water. Gradually add flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt just until combined. Dough should be sticky and a little stretchy, not runny.
Cut or drop little pieces of dough into boiling water. Cook a few minutes and drain.
