Idrijski Žlikrofi with Idrija Žlikrofi
Idrijski Žlikrofi are small potato dumplings, a protected traditional Slovenian specialty from the town of Idrija. They are typically served as a side dish or a main course, often with a rich meat sauce or stew.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Potatoes(starchy, for boiling)
- 250 g All-purpose flour(plus more for dusting)
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 30 g Butter(melted, plus more for serving)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 tsp Marjoram(dried)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped, for filling)
- 50 g Bacon(finely diced, for filling)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and mash them while hot. Let cool slightly.
💡 Tip: Use starchy potatoes for a better texture. - 2
In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes, flour, egg yolks, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Knead until a smooth dough forms.
💡 Tip: Add more flour if the dough is too sticky. - 3
Fry diced bacon in a pan until crisp. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in marjoram. Let the filling cool.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Roll out the dough thinly on a floured surface. Place small spoonfuls of the filling onto one half of the dough, spaced apart.
💡 Tip: Keep the dough covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying. - 5
Fold the other half of the dough over the filling. Press around each mound of filling to seal and create individual dumplings. Cut them out using a fluted pastry wheel or a knife.
💡 Tip: Ensure the dough is well sealed to prevent the filling from escaping during cooking. - 6
Shape each dumpling by pressing the sides together and then forming a small indentation with your thumb, resembling a 'cap' or 'ear'.
💡 Tip: This characteristic shape is key to Idrijski Žlikrofi. - 7
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently drop the žlikrofi into the boiling water. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
⏱️ 7 minutes💡 Tip: Do not overcrowd the pot. - 8
Remove the cooked žlikrofi with a slotted spoon. Serve immediately, drizzled with melted butter or a traditional meat sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The quality of potatoes significantly impacts the final texture.
- ✓The characteristic 'cap' shape is achieved by pressing the sides together and then making a thumbprint indentation.
- ✓These dumplings can be frozen before cooking; cook them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the boiling time.
🔄 Variations
- Serve with a rich beef or lamb stew.
- Top with fried breadcrumbs and melted butter for a simpler preparation.
- A mushroom sauce is also a popular accompaniment.