Castilian-Manchego Style Amadombolo

Ingredients

In the original South African Amadombolo, the dumplings are typically made with maize meal and served with a meat-based stew. In this Castilian-Manchego adaptation, the dumplings are made with bread and Castilian-Manchego cheese, giving them a different texture and flavor profile. The traditional meat-based stew is replaced with a flavorful broth to highlight the taste of the dumplings. We alse have the original recipe for Amadombolo, so you can check it out.

• 250g (8.8 oz) stale bread, crusts removed 250g (8.8 oz) stale bread, crusts removed
• 200g (7 oz) Castilian-Manchego cheese, grated 200g (7 oz) Castilian-Manchego cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 500ml (2 cups) vegetable broth 500ml (2 cups) vegetable broth

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 14g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 32g, 2g
• Protein: 16g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, soak the stale bread in water for a few minutes until softened. Squeeze out any excess water and crumble the bread into fine crumbs.
2. 2.
   Add the grated Castilian-Manchego cheese, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the bread crumbs. Mix well to combine.
3. 3.
   Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add them to the bread mixture. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
4. 4.
   Shape the mixture into small dumplings, about the size of golf balls.
5. 5.
   In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Gently drop the dumplings into the boiling broth and cook for about 10 minutes, or until they are cooked through and float to the surface.
6. 6.
   Remove the dumplings from the broth using a slotted spoon and serve them hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bread — It's important to use stale bread for this recipe as it absorbs the flavors and moisture better. If you don't have stale bread, you can lightly toast fresh bread and let it cool before using.
• Castilian-Manchego cheese — Look for a good quality Castilian-Manchego cheese with a firm texture and nutty flavor. If you can't find Castilian-Manchego, you can substitute it with another firm and flavorful cheese like Manchego or Parmesan.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor of the dumplings, you can add a pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper to the bread mixture.
• Serve the dumplings with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an extra touch of Castilian-Manchego flavor.
• If you prefer a richer broth, you can add a splash of white wine or a tablespoon of tomato paste to the vegetable broth before boiling the dumplings.

Serving advice

Serve the Castilian-Manchego Style Amadombolo hot in individual bowls, with a ladle of the flavorful broth. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Castilian-Manchego cheese for an attractive presentation.

Presentation advice

For an elegant presentation, arrange the dumplings in a circular pattern in the center of the bowl and pour the broth around them. Sprinkle some finely chopped parsley on top for a pop of color.