Štruklji: From tradition to modern versions

Štruklji is one of the most versatile and popular dishes in Slovenian cuisine. With their simplicity and richness of flavours, they are a hit with all of us. This traditional dish is present in almost every household and has a long history dating back to the past. In this article, we will explore the origins of štrukliai, their popular flavours, preparation steps, possible baking problems and tips to help us prepare the perfect štrukliai.

The origins and variety of štruklji

Štruklji originate from the Central European and Balkan region, where they have evolved and adapted to people's tastes over the centuries. Our Slovenian version of štruklji has a special place in the cuisine. Classic štruklji are often filled with cottage cheese or cheese, but the possibilities are almost limitless. They can be made with potatoes, meat or even sweet fillings. Modern cuisine offers many other variations, allowing experimentation with different ingredients.

The most familiar flavours of štruklji

Some of the most popular štruklji flavours are:

• Cottage cheese štruklji: These are the most well-known and popular. Cottage cheese is the classic choice for the filling and offers a delicate, creamy taste.
• Potato štruklji: Stuffed with boiled potato mixture, onions and spices.
• Meat štruklji: Contains various types of meat, often with the addition of spices and herbs.
• Sweet štruklji: Most often filled with walnuts and sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon.

For those who want something more exotic, you can try štruklji with mushrooms, pumpkin or even chocolate.

Recipe for cottage cheese štruklji with BAM hazelnut topping

The preparation of the štruklji is simple if you follow the basic steps. Here is the recipe for the cottage cheese štruklji.

Ingredients:

• 250 g flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp BAM rapeseed oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 500 g cottage cheese
• 1 egg (for filling)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon BAM vanilla sugar with real vanilla

Preparation method:

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, egg, oil and water. Knead until the dough is smooth. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, egg, sugar, salt and, if desired, vanilla sugar. Stir the mixture well.

3. Rolling out the dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 2-3 mm thick.

4. Filling: Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving the edges empty.

5. Rolling: Carefully roll the dough into a roll, making sure that the filling does not spill out.

6. Cooking: Place the rolled rolls in boiling salted water and cook for about 20-25 minutes. When the rolls float to the surface, they are ready.

7. Serving: Top the croissants with BAM hazelnut spread or BAM hazelnut spread with cocoa, which adds a special, even sweeter flavour.

Difficulties in preparing the štruklji

Some problems may be encountered when preparing štruklji:

• Dough sticks: If the dough sticks too much to the surface, it may mean that too much flour or too little water has been added. Add a little flour to help the dough form more easily.
• If the filling is oozing out, it may mean that the edges of the dough are not sealed enough or the filling is too runny. Make sure the edges are well sealed.
• The dough is too stiff: If the dough is too stiff to roll, you may have added too much flour. Add a little water to make the dough softer.

Tips for preparing the rolls

• Quality of ingredients: Use fresh ingredients as they will affect the taste of the final product. Fresh cottage cheese, good flour and fresh eggs are the key to the success of the recipe.
• Experiment: Try different fillings and preparation methods to discover your favourite combinations.
• Try different techniques: In addition to cooking and baking, you can also try roasting the rolls or steaming them for a healthier version.
• Taking care of the dough: When working with the dough, make sure it is elastic enough and does not stick to the surface. Help yourself by wetting the dough.
• Proper storage: Uncooked croissants can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat before serving.

Štruklji are truly a culinary masterpiece, offering many possibilities for customisation and creativity. Whether prepared as a stand-alone dish, a side dish or a dessert, štruklji are always welcome on the table. With the right approach and a little practice, we will quickly become masters at preparing this delicious dish.