Today's meal is from #Finland - and it is definitely a departure from everything we have made so far in this project - we are using dough! There are two components to this meal: meat pies (that I can certainly imagine as a fun street food), and a marinated cucumber salad.
One note on this meal: the recipe I am sharing here calls for baking of the meat pies, but they can also be deep fried, which I imagine is also a delicious version! If you decide to switch it up and go that route, let me know in the comments below how it turned out. I'd love to hear about it.
Both the meat pies and the cucumber salad were delicious hits at our house!
Yum, yum, yum - Let's get started!
LIHAPIIRAKKA ("Finnish Meat Pies")
Prep: 1 Hour, 20 Minutes
Cook: 20 Minutes
Total: 1 Hour, 40 Minutes
Serves: 10 pies (4-8 people)
Ingredients:
Dough:
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) Active Dry Yeast
1 1/4 cup lukewarm Milk
1 teaspoon Salt
2 Eggs (1 for dough; 1 for egg wash)
1/2 cup Sugar
4 1/2 cups White Flour (plus some for dusting when rolling it out)
1/2 cup melted Butter
Meat:
2 lbs. lean Ground Beef
1/2 cup Onion (finely chopped)
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh Parsley
1 cup pre-cooked rice (white or brown)
Directions:
Dough (Part 1):
Add yeast to lukewarm milk and let sit for approximately 15 minutes until foamy.
With a mixer, combine yeast/milk mixture, 1 egg, salt, melted butter, sugar and add a little flour at a time until dough comes together and can be kneaded.
Knead dough and place into a large bowl. Set aside for one hour to rise. (Cover with a warm cloth to aid in this process).
Meat Filling:
Cook the rice according to the package directions.
At the same time; on the stovetop; brown the beef and onions together.
Drain off liquid. Add salt, pepper, and parsley to taste.
Add the cooked rice to the beef mixture, cover, and set aside until dough is ready to be filled.
Dough (Part 2):
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
After dough has risen, roll it out with a rolling pin, and cut circles of approximately 4 inch diameter either by hand or with a cookie cutter.
Put a scoop of the meat/rice mixture in the center of each circle, and close it by pinching with your thumbs around the sides, ensuring it is completely sealed.
Crack remaining egg into a small bowl and beat with a fork. Use pastry brush to glaze the top of each pie with a bit of the egg.
Put in a casserole dish or on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes, until golden brown.
KURKKUSALAATTI ("Finnish Cucumber Salad")
Prep: 10 minutes (BUT prep a few hours in advance, and plan to give it a shake every half hour or so)
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1-3 large Cucumbers
1/3 cup Cider Vinegar
1/4 cup Water
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
3-5 tablespoons Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Dash of White Pepper
1 tablespoon Dill (fresh Dill is best)
Directions:
Mix dressing ingredients in bowl or sealable plastic bag.
Scrub cucumbers thoroughly. Peel stripes lengthwise, to end up with a 'stripey' looking finish.
Slice the cucumbers (thin or chunky, depending on preference; plan to marinate longer for thicker slices).
Place all slices in a covered bowl or sealable plastic bag, shake so all the cucumbers are covered in the marinade.
Place in fridge for a few hours.
Shake every half hour or so.
Transfer to a serving dish when ready to eat.
Let me know what you think in the comments below once you've had a chance to try it!
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