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Finnish Karelian Pies

Put the water and butter into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and stir in the rice. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the milk and stir until boiling. Simmer for about 50 minutes, until the rice is done. Season with salt. Set aside to cool. Mix both flour, salt and water together. Knead it into a dough. Roll the dough on a floured surface until about 2 mms thick.

Using a cutter, cut into circles of 8 cm (3 in.) in diameter. Roll the circles into thin crusts. A pasta machine can also be used. Use some flour to help with the rolling. Fill the crusts with a thin layer of rice mixture. Turn 1 cm (0.4 in.) of the side to create an edge and pinch the edges. Bake the pasties at 300°C (570F) for 15-20 minutes. Brush with a butter and milk mixture and transfer to soften under greaseproof paper and a tea towel. Eat hot with egg and butter spread.

Egg and butter spread:

Mix the soft butter with eggs and parsley. Serve lukewarm.

 

Source: Visit Finland

Recipe

Apple Strudel

Strudel, štrudl, štrudla and štrukli – these are the names given by our neighbors in Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to this sweet dream of light pastry and its juicy filling. But in English, the only word which has made it into common use is the German “Strudel”. That is a powerful signal of just how famous the Viennese Apfelstrudel has now become internationally. But it’s all too easily forgotten that this fine pastry once traveled an extensive route from Arabia via the Ottoman Empire and Turkey, before becoming resident in Vienna. However, the long journey was worth it!

Recipe

Speculoos

Speculoos is a type of shortcrust biscuit, traditionally baked for consumption on or just before St Nicholas’ feast (December 6th) in the Belgium, the Netherlands and Northern France. In recent decades it has become available all year round. Speculoos are thin, very crunchy, slightly browned and, most significantly, have some image or figure (often from the traditional stories about St. Nicholas) stamped on the front side before baking; the back is flat. The Lotus brand is one of the most popular. You can also find them covered in chocolate…a real Belgian treat!

Rice mixture

  • 500 ml water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 250 ml short-grain glutinous rice
  • 1 litre milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt

Rye dough

  • 400 ml rye flour
  • 150 ml plain flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 200 ml water

To glaze

  • 50g butter
  • 100 ml milk

Egg and butter spread

  • 100g butter
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs, mashed
  • (50 ml chopped parsley)

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