Recipes from Croatia: Zagorje Cheese Štrukli

Recipes from Croatia


Zagorje Cheese Štrukli

Country: Croatia
Course: Appetizer
Makes: 8 to 10 štruki



Ingredients:

  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 5 eggs
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/8 tsp of salt
  • 2 1/2 pounds dry curd cottage cheese or ricotta
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
  • 4 cups heavy cream

Directions:

  1. Mix the flour, one egg and the oil with between 1 1/2 and 2 cups of salted water.
  2. Knead the dough (you can use a bread machine) until smooth, then shape it into a ball. Spray the surface of the ball with cooking spray and let stand covered for 15 minutes or so.
  3. Meanwhile, mix the cheese with the rest of the eggs, and add salt and a half cup of melted butter. Mix until smooth.
  4. Sprinkle a large work surface with flour and then roll the dough until it is paper-thin. Now spread the cheese mixture evenly over the surface.
  5. Roll up the dough like a jelly-roll, brushing with butter as you go.
  6. Cut into 20 evenly sized pieces.
  7. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and, working in batches, add the pieces to the pot and boil for 10 minutes.
  8. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees and grease an ovenproof dish. Arrange the štrukle in the dish and pour the cream and the rest of the melted butter over it. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden.