Mohnnudeln (Poppy seed noodles)

Have you ever tried sweet gnocchi? No? Then you should definitely make the acquaintance of Viennese cuisine. In Vienna the popular noodles made of potato dough are called “Schupfnudeln” (literally “throw noodles”) and taste especially delicious with sugar, melted butter and poppy seed. Nowadays poppy seed noodles can be found in many Viennese restaurants. But if you want to create this Viennese speciality in your own kitchen, try our recipe. Enjoy your sweets.

Serves: 6 - 8

Ingredients:

500 g (1 ¼ lb) potatoes (floury)
40 g (3/16 cup) butter
100 g (1 cup) flour
50 g (¼ cup) semolina
50 g (3/8 cup) cornstarch (Maizena)
100 g (1/2 cup) curd cheese (20% fat)
1 egg
1 egg yolk
nutmeg (ground)
salt
flour (and semolina for the work surface)

For the poppy seed crumbs:

150 g (0,35 lb) poppy seeds (finely ground)
80 g (3/8 cup) butter
4 cl (0,064 pt) rum
4 tbsps icing sugar
2 tbsps bread crumbs
icing sugar (for dusting)

Preparation:

Peel the potatoes and boil in lightly salted water. Let them cool a little and then put through a potato ricer while still warm. On a work surface, combine the potatoes with the butter, flour, cornstarch, cottage cheese, egg, egg yolk, semolina, salt and nutmeg, and work into a smooth, elastic dough. Form a 3 cm thick roll, and using a cutter, cut out pieces about a thumb thickness wide. On a floured surface, make small noodles out of the dough.
Place on a baking tray sprinkled with semolina. Line a large cooking pot with baking paper and leave some paper for covering. Fill the pot with water, bring to boil and put the noodles in. Cover the water with baking paper and simmer, lightly bubbling, for about 5 minutes. (This way, the noodles stay under water and won't stick together). Remove with a draining spoon and let drain. For the poppy seed crumbs, froth up the butter and combine with the rest of the ingredients. Toss the noodles well in the mixture. Serve on warmed plates and sprinkle with icing sugar.

Suggested side dish:
Stewed plums, stewed apricots; white wine