This past year I've been experimenting with making knishes, empanadas and other variations of the handheld savory pie. NPR just published an article about the pie. Apparently, it's getting hot. You can find the NPR piece here.
One of my favorite potato knish recipes comes from a video on about.com by Rachel Edelman.
Here's her recipe for her rustic, hearty, delicious potato knishes:
Potato Knishes
- 6 potatoes
- 1/4 cup of oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 onion
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 egg
Place the potatoes into a pot of boiling water. Cook for around 15-20 minutes, until they are soft. Now, drain the pot into a colander.
Put the potatoes back into the pot and then mash them well. Measure out 1 cup of mashed potatoes. This is going to be for the dough.
Put the measured potatoes into a bowl. Add the oil and salt, then mix it together. You'll see it gets nice and creamy.
In a separate bowl, add the baking powder to the flour. Whisk them together. Add about one-third of the flour mixture to the mashed potatoes and mix. In sections, add in all the flour as best you can.
Next, make a small well in the center of the bowl. Pour the cold water right into that spot. Knead the dough with your hands for a few minutes. The dough will come together, and soon you have a nice, firm ball.
Place a wet cloth or towel on top of the dough, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut and peel the onion. Dice it into small pieces. Then melt the butter in a pan to medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté until they are soft, but not yet brown.
Pour the onions into a mixing bowl. This will be for our knish filling. Add 1 1/2 cups of mashed potatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Combine everything together. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Flour a flat surface and a rolling pin. Place down the dough, and divide it into four parts. Take one part and prepare it for rolling. Roll out the dough, flipping it over occasionally, so it is one-quarter of an inch thick.
Make a Square Knish
For a square knish, with a pizza cutter or knife, trim the edges of all sides of the dough so it forms a rectangle. Place the potato filling into the center of the square. Fold over the short sides and push down on the edge.Next, fold over the longer sides. You'll see how the dough forms a pocket around the filling. Dip your fingers into some water, then wet the dough to help seal the edges.
Place the knish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Crack an egg, and beat it with a fork. Paint the egg on the knish with a brush for the final touch.
Make a Round Knish
To a make a round knish, use a bowl to help make an even circle with the rolled dough. Place the filling in the center, pull up the sides, and pinch the dough at the top.Place it on the baking sheet, and brush with the egg.
