Cepelinai Recipe – European Special
Cepelinai is a traditional Lithuanian dish made of large potato dumplings filled with minced meat, cheese, or mushrooms. They are called cepelinai because they look like Zeppelin airships. These dumplings are usually served with a creamy, savory sauce made from sour cream and bacon. Known for being hearty and comforting, cepelinai is a popular dish in Lithuania, especially enjoyed during cold weather or family gatherings.
- Prep Time30 min
- Cook Time20 min
- Total Time50 min
For the potato dough:
- 2 lbs (900g) potatoes
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup (60g) flour
- Salt (to taste)
For the filling:
- 1 lb (450g) ground pork (or pork and beef mix)
- 1 onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream
- 3 tbsp bacon bits (or chopped bacon)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Make the filling:
Cook chopped onion in a pan until soft.
Add the ground meat, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned.
Set aside to cool.
Prepare the potato dough:
Peel and grate the potatoes.
Squeeze out excess moisture with a towel.
In a bowl, mix the grated potatoes with egg, flour, and salt.
Shape the dumplings:
Take a small amount of potato dough, flatten it, and place a spoonful of filling in the center.
Shape the dough around the filling into a dumpling.
Cook the dumplings:
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Gently drop the dumplings into the water.
Boil for about 25-30 minutes, or until they float.
Make the sauce:
In a pan, cook bacon until crispy.
Remove the bacon and cook chopped onion in the bacon fat until golden.
Add sour cream, stir, and season with salt and pepper.
Serve:
Place the cooked dumplings on a plate and top with the bacon-onion sour cream sauce.
Recipe Notes:
Potato dough : Use starchy potatoes, grate them, and squeeze out the water for smooth dough.
Filling : Cook ground meat with onions, salt, and pepper. Let it cool before using.
Forming dumplings : Take some potato dough, add a spoon of filling, and shape it into a dumpling.
Serving : Serve the dumplings with the sauce on top.
