CURD CHEESE DUMPLINGS - TÚRÓGOMBÓC

I loved these as a child, as an adult I would crave them from time to time… but for some reason every time I went back to Hungary my mother never made them and I forgot to ask. It was a long time coming, but about ten years ago when I finally found a way to make túró this was the first dish I made from it. Made with a combination of túró, semolina, and eggs, the mixture is cooked into dumplings and coated with lightly toasted bread crumbs. It is best eaten with a sprinkling of confectionary sugar and a dollop of sour cream. Not a dessert though, túrógombóc is generally served as a main course following a bowl of homemade soup. 

CURD CHEESE DUMPLINGS

2 egg yolks

sprinkling of salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1 pkg. vanilla sugar
1-1/2 cups túró
grated zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1/2 lemon
5 Tbsp farina
2 egg whites
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup fine breadcrumbs
powdered sugar
sour cream

• In a medium bowl combine 2 egg yolks, salt, sugar and vanilla sugar.

• Cream the yolk mixture until light and fluffy.

• Add the turó, lemon juice and lemon zest and stir to combine.

• Mix in the farina and set the mixture aside.

• Beat 2 egg whites until stiff peaks form.

• Gradually fold the beaten egg whites into the turó mixture.

• With damp hands form balls and set them aside.

• Put a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring it to boil.

• Meanwhile melt 3 Tbsp butter in a non-stick pan.

• Add the breadcrumbs and gently fry until golden.

• Keep stirring and do not let the breadcrumbs burn.

• Remove pan from the heat and set it aside.

• One by one slide the turó dumplings into the boiling water.

• Reduce heat to medium and cook dumplings until they come to the surface.

• Remove floating dumplings with a slotted spoon and place them on a platter.

• Let them drip for a few seconds before sliding them into the golden fried breadcrumbs.

• Gently shake the pan to coat the dumplings.

• Serve the curd dumplings sprinkled with powdered sugar.

• Add sour cream on the side. Makes 12 to 15 dumplings.