Czech-inspired Savory Stuffed Buns

Ingredients

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• For the meat filling: For the meat filling:
• 1/2 pound (225g) ground pork or beef 1/2 pound (225g) ground pork or beef
• 1/2 cup (80g) finely chopped onion 1/2 cup (80g) finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the vegetarian filling: For the vegetarian filling:
• 1 cup (150g) finely chopped mushrooms 1 cup (150g) finely chopped mushrooms
• 1/2 cup (80g) finely chopped onion 1/2 cup (80g) finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup (75g) grated cheese (such as cheddar or Gouda) 1/2 cup (75g) grated cheese (such as cheddar or Gouda)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 32g, 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. 4.
   Meanwhile, prepare the meat filling by cooking the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, paprika, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onion is translucent and the flavors are well combined. Remove from heat and let it cool.
5. 5.
   For the vegetarian filling, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped mushrooms and onions, and sauté until they are tender and any liquid has evaporated. Stir in the dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool. Once cooled, stir in the grated cheese.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into equal portions. Roll each portion into a small circle.
8. 8.
   Place a spoonful of the desired filling (meat or vegetarian) in the center of each dough circle. Fold the edges over the filling and pinch to seal, forming a bun shape.
9. 9.
   Arrange the stuffed buns on the prepared baking sheet and let them rise for an additional 15 minutes.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mushrooms — Make sure to finely chop the mushrooms to ensure they cook evenly and blend well with the other ingredients.
• Caraway seeds — Toasting the caraway seeds before adding them to the meat filling will enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a dollop of sour cream to the meat filling.
• Experiment with different types of cheese in the vegetarian filling, such as feta or Swiss, to add variety to the buns.
• Serve the savory stuffed buns warm with a side of tangy sauerkraut for an authentic Czech experience.
• These buns can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven for a quick and satisfying meal.
• Feel free to customize the fillings by adding your favorite herbs and spices to suit your taste.

Serving advice

Serve the savory stuffed buns as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad or as a delightful appetizer for a Czech-inspired feast.

Presentation advice

Arrange the savory stuffed buns on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or dill, to add a pop of color and enhance their visual appeal.