If you’ve never had a knish before, you’re in for a treat. This traditional Jewish dish is a savory pastry filled with a variety of delicious ingredients. From spinach and cheese to meat and potatoes, there are endless possibilities when it comes to knishes. In this article, we’ll explore the history of knishes, different types of fillings, and how to make your own knishes at home.
The History of Knishes
The knish originated in Eastern Europe, specifically in Poland and Russia, as a popular street food. It was a way for Jewish immigrants to make use of leftover scraps of dough and fillings, creating a cheap and filling meal. As the dish gained popularity, it made its way to the United States in the early 20th century, where it became a staple in Jewish delis and bakeries.
Types of Knishes
There are two main types of knishes: baked and fried. Baked knishes are made with a flaky dough and are typically filled with mashed potatoes, onions, and seasonings. Fried knishes, on the other hand, are made with a thicker dough and are often filled with meat, such as beef or chicken.
Within these two categories, there are endless variations of fillings. Some popular options include spinach and cheese, kasha (buckwheat), and even sweet fillings like apple or cherry.
How to Make a Spinach Knish
Ingredients:
- 1 package of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup of frozen chopped spinach, drained and thawed
- 1/2 cup of feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the spinach, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, and salt and pepper.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and cut it into 4 squares.
- Place a spoonful of the spinach mixture onto one half of each square, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg and fold the other half of the pastry over the filling, pressing the edges together to seal.
- Place the knishes on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg.
- Bake for 22 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and flaky.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious spinach knishes!
Meat Knish Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 package of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 pound of ground beef or chicken
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 190°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet, cooked the ground meat over medium heat until browned.
- Add the onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and cut it into 4 squares.
- Place a spoonful of the meat mixture onto one half of each square, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg and fold the other half of the pastry over the filling, pressing the edges together to seal.
- Place the knishes on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and flaky.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meat knishes!
Other Delicious Knish Fillings
While spinach and meat are popular knish fillings, there are many other options to explore. Here are ideas to get you started:
- Kasha (buckwheat) and mushroom
- Sweet potato and caramelized onion
- Apple and cinnamon
- Cheese and jalapeno
- Corned beef and sauerkraut
Conclusion
Knishes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or even a main course. With a little creativity, you can come up with endless filling combinations to suit your taste buds. So next time you’re looking for a tasty and comforting dish, give knishes a try and impress your friends and family with your homemade creations.
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