Potato and Green Onion Swirls: A Homemade Delight

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 250 ml (8.5 fl oz) kefir
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) vegetable oil
• 480 g (17 oz) all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

• 3 medium potatoes
• 50 g (1.8 oz) butter
• 50 g (1.8 oz) green onion, finely chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 100 g (3.5 oz) butter, for additional use

Preparation

1. Making the Dough

Start by preparing the dough. In a deep mixing bowl, pour 250 ml of kefir and add 0.5 tsp of baking soda and 0.5 tsp of salt. Mix these ingredients well to ensure the baking soda activates properly with the kefir, which will help the dough rise slightly.

Next, break 2 eggs into the mixture and add 50 ml of vegetable oil. Stir everything together until the eggs and oil are fully incorporated, creating a smooth mixture.

Gradually add 480 g of sifted all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Begin mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together. Once it becomes too thick to stir, switch to kneading with your hands. Knead the dough until it’s soft, smooth, and no longer sticky. If necessary, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much, as you want the dough to remain tender.

Once the dough is well-kneaded, cover it with cling film and set it aside in a warm place to rest for 30-40 minutes. This resting time allows the dough to relax and makes it easier to roll out later.

2. Preparing the Filling

While the dough is resting, prepare the potato filling. Start by peeling 3 medium potatoes and cutting them into rough cubes. Place the potato cubes in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender, which should take about 15-20 minutes.

Once the potatoes are fully cooked, drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot. Add 50 g of butter to the hot potatoes and mash them until smooth and creamy. Season the mashed potatoes with salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Finely chop 50 g of green onion and stir it into the mashed potatoes. The green onion adds a fresh, slightly tangy flavor that complements the richness of the potatoes beautifully. Set the filling aside to cool slightly while you prepare the dough.

3. Rolling and Shaping the Dough

After the dough has rested, lightly dust your work surface with flour. Divide the dough into four equal balls. Take one ball of dough and roll it out into a thin rectangle, about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick.

Take 100 g of softened butter and spread a portion over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough. Roll the dough into a tight log, forming a long strip. This layering of butter creates a rich, flaky texture in the final baked swirls.

Once the dough is rolled into a log, place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This brief chilling period helps firm up the dough, making it easier to cut and shape later.

4. Cutting and Filling the Dough

Remove the chilled dough log from the freezer and cut it into 5 equal squares. Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls until you have 20 squares in total.

Next, take each square and roll it out slightly to flatten it. Place a generous tablespoon of the  potato filling in the center of each square.

Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching them together to form a round  cake. The dough should completely enclose the filling.

For the final shaping, roll out each filled piece into a rectangular pancake and then roll it into a tight swirl. Fold the swirl in half, and make a small incision in the center to create a more intricate pattern when the dough bakes.

5. Baking the Swirls

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil to prevent the swirls from sticking.

Arrange the swirls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one to allow for expansion during baking.

In a small bowl, beat 1 egg yolk with a splash of milk. Brush this mixture over the tops of the swirls to give them a golden, glossy finish when baked.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the swirls are golden brown and fully cooked through.

6. Serving the Potato and Green Onion Swirls

Once baked, remove the swirls from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. These Potato and Green Onion Swirls are best enjoyed warm, when the dough is soft and the filling is creamy and flavorful.

Nutritional Information

• Servings: Approximately 20 swirls
• Calories per serving: 160 kcal
• Total Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g

Conclusion

These Potato and Green Onion Swirls are a delightful combination of soft, buttery dough and savory potato filling, making them an irresistible treat. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they are sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. With their unique shape and homemade flavor, these swirls bring a touch of comfort and warmth to any meal. Try them out, and you’ll see why these baked goods are truly something you can’t buy in stores!

Quick and Delicious Peanut Chocolate Cubes

Ingredients

For the Peanut  Chocolate Cubes:

• 1 egg

• 50 g (1.8 oz) sugar

• 35 g (1.2 oz) all-purpose flour

• 200 g (7 oz) roasted peanuts, chopped

For the Chocolate Glaze:

• 80 g (2.8 oz) dark chocolate

• 20 ml (0.7 fl oz) vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Preparing the Peanut Mixture

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures that it’s at the perfect temperature by the time you’re ready to bake.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, crack 1 egg and beat it lightly until the yolk and white are fully combined. Gradually add 50 g of sugar to the bowl and whisk together with the egg. This combination of egg and sugar will create a slightly frothy mixture that serves as the base for our dessert.

Once the sugar has dissolved into the egg, sift in 35 g of all-purpose flour. Gently fold the flour into the mixture, being careful not to overmix. The goal is to create a smooth batter without any lumps.

Next, take 200 g of roasted peanuts and chop them coarsely. The peanuts should be small enough to incorporate easily into the batter but large enough to provide a satisfying crunch. Add the chopped peanuts to the bowl and stir everything together until well combined.

2. Spreading and Cutting the Mixture

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is crucial as it prevents the mixture from sticking to the tray, making it easier to remove once baked.

Pour the peanut mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly across the sheet, ensuring it’s not too thick or too thin. Aim for a thickness of about 1 cm (0.4 inches) to ensure even baking.

Once you’ve spread the mixture, take a sharp knife and score the surface into small cubes. This makes it easier to cut the dessert into uniform pieces after baking. You don’t need to cut all the way through; just make light incisions.

3. Baking to Perfection

Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become crispy.

Keep an eye on the baking process, as oven temperatures can vary. You want the cubes to be golden and crispy but not burnt. If your oven tends to run hot, consider checking the mixture a few minutes before the 20-minute mark.

4. Shaping and Glazing the Cubes

Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. This will make it easier to handle when cutting the cubes.

Using the scored lines as a guide, carefully cut the mixture into cubes. The edges should be crispy, while the inside remains slightly chewy, creating the perfect texture contrast.

For the glaze, melt 80 g of dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. You can do this by microwaving the chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. Alternatively, melt it over a double boiler on the stove.

Once the chocolate is melted, add 20 ml of vegetable oil to the bowl. Stir until the chocolate and oil are fully combined, creating a smooth and shiny glaze.

Now, take each cube and dip it into the chocolate glaze. Make sure each side is well-coated. After dipping, place the chocolate-covered cubes on a clean sheet of parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking as they harden.

5. Letting the Cubes Set

Place the parchment-lined sheet with the chocolate-coated cubes in the refrigerator. Allow them to chill for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate has fully set and hardened.

6. Serving the Peanut  Chocolate Cubes

Once the chocolate is set, your Peanut Chocolate Cubes are ready to be served! Arrange them on a serving platter and watch as they disappear in no time. These cubes are perfect for sharing with friends and family, and their rich flavor and satisfying crunch will have everyone coming back for more.

Nutritional Information

• Servings: Approximately 16 cubes

• Calories per serving: 120 kcal

• Total Fat: 9 g

• Saturated Fat: 3 g

• Cholesterol: 15 mg

• Sodium: 5 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 9 g

• Dietary Fiber: 1 g

• Sugars: 5 g

• Protein: 3 g

Conclusion

These Peanut Chocolate Cubes are a perfect combination of sweet and savory, with a satisfying crunch that makes them irresistible. Best of all, they can be made in just a few minutes, making them ideal for those times when you need a quick and delicious dessert. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can enjoy a homemade treat that everyone will love, without spending hours in the kitchen.

No More Yeast and Minimal Flour! Healthy and Tasty Pies in the Oven

Ingredients

• 250 g (8.8 oz) cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 200 g (7 oz) flour
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• A little vinegar (to extinguish the soda)

Nutritional Information

This recipe makes about 8-10 pies, depending on the size.

• Calories per pie: 120-150 kcal
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 3 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the Dough

Start by gathering all your ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, with ingredients that are likely already in your refrigerator or pantry. Here’s how to put it all together:

1. Mix the Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 250 g (8.8 oz) of cottage cheese, 1 egg, 0.5 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp sour cream. Stir the mixture thoroughly. Unlike many other doughs, there’s no need to worry about breaking up any lumps in the cottage cheese—this adds to the texture of the final product.
2. Quench the Soda: Take 0.5 tsp of baking soda and extinguish it with a small amount of vinegar. This step is crucial as it activates the soda, which will help the dough rise and create a soft, airy texture. Pour the fizzing soda into the cottage cheese mixture and stir.
3. Add the Flour: Gradually sift in 200 g (7 oz) of flour into the bowl, mixing as you go. The dough should be soft and a bit sticky but still manageable. Avoid adding too much flour; the key is to keep the dough light and tender. Once mixed, place the dough in a plastic bag and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle later.
   

   2. Preparing the Filling

   While the dough is resting in the refrigerator, it’s the perfect time to prepare your filling. This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for both sweet and savory options:

   • For a Sweet Filling: You could use apple slices with cinnamon and sugar, or even a mixture of berries and a bit of honey.
   • For a Savory Filling: Consider sautéed mushrooms with onions, mashed  potatoes with cheese, or spinach and feta.

   Feel free to get creative with your fillings based on your preferences and what you have on hand.

   3. Forming the Pies

   Once the dough has chilled:

   1. Divide the Dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a floured surface. Divide it into several equal pieces. Depending on the size you prefer, this recipe should make about 8-10 pies.
   2. Shape the Dough: Using your hands, flatten each piece of dough into a small circle. There’s no need for a rolling pin; the dough should be soft and pliable enough to shape with your fingers.
   3. Add the Filling: Place a spoonful of your chosen filling in the center of each dough circle. Be careful not to overfill, as this could cause the pies to burst open during baking.
   4. Seal the Edges: Carefully fold the dough over the filling, pinching the edges together to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative touch and to ensure the filling stays inside during baking.

   4. Baking the Pies

   Now that your pies are ready:

   1. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pies from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
   2. Place the Pies: Arrange the pies on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one to allow for even cooking.
   3. Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the pies for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown. The exact baking time can vary, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook.
   4. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving. These pies are delicious when served warm, but they also store well and can be enjoyed cold or reheated later.
      

      Conclusion

      These healthy, yeast-free pies are an excellent option for anyone looking to enjoy homemade baked goods without the heaviness of traditional pastries. The use of cottage cheese and minimal flour ensures a light and tender dough, while the flexibility of the filling makes this recipe a favorite for all tastes. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a savory appetizer, or a sweet dessert, these pies deliver on flavor and texture without the need for complex ingredients. Enjoy the delightful balance of soft dough and flavorful fillings—bake, taste, and share this wholesome recipe with your loved ones!