SQUARE POTATO KNISH RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two. Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Combine potatoes and onions in a large bowl; season with 2 teaspoons of salt, pepper, sugar, and garlic. Mash until smooth; set aside.
• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Beat eggs, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, warm water, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Gradually stir in flour. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Divide the dough into thirds and roll each piece out to about 9x13-inches. Slice the rolled dough in half lengthwise, then spread the potato mixture down the center of each strip. Roll each strip around the filling and gently press to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling to end with six logs.
• Cut each log into 1-inch slices and place cut side down on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press the edges of the dough toward the center of the potato mixture to form a bun. Beat egg yolks and milk together in a small bowl. Brush each knish with the the egg yolk mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes.

Steps:

• Make dough: in a large bowl, whisk to combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl or measuring cup, combine vegetable oil or schmaltz with warm water, egg, and white vinegar. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour liquid ingredients into the center. Stir to combine until a ball of dough forms. Transfer dough to a clean work surface and knead to ensure all flour is evenly incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.  Return dough to bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature. (Refrigerate dough if not using within the hour. Dough can be left in the fridge up to 3 days, bring up to room temperature before using.) Caramelize onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine butter or schmaltz and olive oil. When butter has melted, add onion and thyme if using. Season with salt and pepper and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized and golden, 45 to 50 minutes.  Steam potatoes: Fill a large pot with 1" of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring water to a boil, then add potatoes and cover with a lid. Cook until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (We like to insert a paring knife into the thickest part of a piece of potato. If the potato slides off when the knife is lifted, they're good to go!) Carefully remove steamer basket and drain water from pot. Transfer potatoes to pot, add sour cream and season with salt. Mash until mostly smooth (some lumps are OK!) and taste for seasoning.  When onions are done, remove thyme stems if used, then transfer onions to bowl with potatoes and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and/or pepper if needed. Assemble knish: line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 375°. Split dough in half, placing one half back under plastic wrap. (It’s normal for some oil to sweat out of the dough while it’s resting. Knead it a couple times in the bowl to reincorporate oil if needed.) Using your hands, shape dough into a rectangle, then roll out into a large rectangle that is about 1/8” thick and between 12” and 15” on the long side. (This dough is very forgiving and doesn’t easily stick to surfaces, so don’t worry about being too rough with it!) Transfer half your potato mixture to the dough, and create a 2” wide log parallel to the 12”-15” edge of dough closest to you, 1”-2” from the bottom edge. Lift the 1”-2” of excess dough over the potato mixture, then carefully roll potato mixture away from you until you reach the other end of the dough, like rolling a cigarette. Arrange so the seam is on the bottom, and adjust roll if needed so that potato filling is evenly distributed. Trim ends of dough so it is even with the potato filling. Using the dull side of a dinner knife, make light indentations every 2”-2 ½” so that your cylinder is divided into 6 equally sized pieces. Use the sharp side of your dinner knife to cut through each knish. To shape your knishes: to make the bottom, use your finger to gently press the filling inward, then stretch the dough over the filling and pinch to seal. Flip the knish over so that the bottom is touching a clean work surface. For the top, use your thumbs and pointer fingers to press the cut dough in towards the center, so there is a slight indent and some filling showing. Repeat with remaining knishes, then repeat entire process with second piece of dough. Place knishes on prepared baking sheet and brush with egg and water mixture. Bake, turning pan halfway through, until golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool at least half an hour before serving. Steam potatoes: Fill a large pot with 1" of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring water to a boil, then add potatoes and cover with a lid. Cook until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (We like to insert a paring knife into the thickest part of a piece of potato. If the potato slides off when the knife is lifted, they're good to go!) Carefully remove steamer basket and drain water from pot. Transfer potatoes to pot, add butter and season with salt. Mash until mostly smooth (some lumps are OK!) and taste for seasoning. Heat vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add coriander and cumin seeds and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Next, add peas, chaat masala, and turmeric. Cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute more, then add mixture to pot with mashed potatoes and stir to incorporate. Fold in cilantro. Assemble knish: line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 375°. Split dough in half, placing one half back under plastic wrap. (It’s normal for some oil to sweat out of the dough while it’s resting. Knead it a couple times in the bowl to reincorporate oil if needed.) Using your hands, shape dough into a rectangle, then roll out into a large rectangle that is about 1/8” thick and between 12” and 15” on the long side. (This dough is very forgiving and doesn’t easily stick to surfaces, so don’t worry about being too rough with it!) Transfer half your potato mixture to the dough, and create a 2” wide log parallel to the 12”-15” edge of dough closest to you, 1”-2” from the bottom edge. Lift the 1”-2” of excess dough over the potato mixture, then carefully roll potato mixture away from you until you reach the other end of the dough, like rolling a cigarette. Arrange so the seam is on the bottom, and adjust roll if needed so that potato filling is evenly distributed. Trim ends of dough so it is even with the potato filling. Using the dull side of a dinner knife, make light indentations every 2”-2 ½” so that your cylinder is divided into 6 equally sized pieces. Use the sharp side of your dinner knife to cut through each knish. To shape your knishes: to make the bottom, use your finger to gently press the filling inward, then stretch the dough over the filling and pinch to seal. Flip the knish over so that the bottom is touching a clean work surface. For the top, use your thumbs and pointer fingers to press the cut dough in towards the center, so there is a slight indent and some filling showing. Repeat with remaining knishes, then repeat entire process with second piece of dough. Place knishes on prepared baking sheet and brush with egg and water mixture. Bake, turning pan halfway through, until golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool at least half an hour before serving. Steam potatoes: Fill a large pot with 1" of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring water to a boil, then add potatoes and cover with a lid. Cook until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (We like to insert a paring knife into the thickest part of a piece of potato. If the potato slides off when the knife is lifted, they're good to go!) Carefully remove steamer basket and drain water from pot. Transfer potatoes to pot, add sour cream and season with salt. Mash until mostly smooth (some lumps are OK!) and taste for seasoning. Using a clean kitchen towel, squeeze all excess moisture out of spinach, then transfer to pot with potatoes. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add green onions and cook until softened and translucent, 2 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute more, then transfer mixture to bowl with potatoes. Add dill and lemon zest to bowl with potatoes and stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Gently fold in cubed feta and season to taste with salt and pepper if needed. Carefully pour sesame seeds onto a small shallow plate. Assemble knish: line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 375°. Split dough in half, placing one half back under plastic wrap. (It’s normal for some oil to sweat out of the dough while it’s resting. Knead it a couple times in the bowl to reincorporate oil if needed.) Using your hands, shape dough into a rectangle, then roll out into a large rectangle that is about 1/8” thick and between 12” and 15” on the long side. (This dough is very forgiving and doesn’t easily stick to surfaces, so don’t worry about being too rough with it!) Transfer half your potato mixture to the dough, and create a 2” wide log parallel to the 12”-15” edge of dough closest to you, 1”-2” from the bottom edge. Lift the 1”-2” of excess dough over the potato mixture, then carefully roll potato mixture away from you until you reach the other end of the dough, like rolling a cigarette. Arrange so the seam is on the bottom, and adjust roll if needed so that potato filling is evenly distributed. Trim ends of dough so it is even with the potato filling. Using the dull side of a dinner knife, make light indentations every 2”-2 ½” so that your cylinder is divided into 6 equally sized pieces. Use the sharp side of your dinner knife to cut through each knish. To shape your knishes: to make the bottom, use your finger to gently press the filling inward, then stretch the dough over the filling and pinch to seal. Flip the knish over so that the bottom is touching a clean work surface. For the top, use your thumbs and pointer fingers to press the cut dough in towards the center, so there is a slight indent and some filling showing. Repeat with remaining knishes, then repeat entire process with second piece of dough. Dip the bottoms of each knish into sesame seeds, then place on prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg and water mixture and sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds. Bake, turning pan halfway through, until golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool at least half an hour before serving.