Saltanosiai

Delicious Saltanosiai Recipe from Lithuania | Easy to Make

Region / culture: Lithuania | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 5 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Saltanosiai is a traditional Lithuanian dessert that consists of sweet dumplings filled with berries and topped with sweetened sour cream. This delightful treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and is sure to impress your family and friends.

History

Saltanosiai has been a beloved dessert in Lithuania for generations. The recipe has been passed down from mother to daughter, with each family adding their own unique twist to the dish. The name "saltanosiai" translates to "little baskets" in Lithuanian, referring to the shape of the dumplings.

Ingredients

1 package of wonton wrappers
berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
sugar
sweetened sour cream (stir in approximately 1 tsp of honey or sugar per 0.25 cup of sour cream)

How to prepare

Use an inverted glass as a cookie cutter to cut the wonton wrappers into rounds.
Alternatively, you can leave the wrappers square.
Place lightly salted water on the stove and bring it to a boil while preparing the dumplings.
Make sure there is enough water for the dumplings to move freely without crowding, as they may stick together.
Put about one teaspoon of berries in the center of each wonton wrapper.
Be careful not to use too many berries, as they may leak out during cooking.
Place about one teaspoon of sugar on top of the berries.
Moisten the edges of the wonton wrapper.
Fold over the edges and seal them well.
If you used round wrappers, your dumplings will now be in half circles.
If you used square wrappers, you will have triangular-shaped dumplings.
Repeat the process until all wonton wrappers or berries are used up.
Reduce the heat of the boiling water to a gentle simmer.
Drop the dumplings into the hot water one at a time.
To prevent the dumplings from sticking together, stir the water once with a wooden spoon.
Only do this when necessary, as you don't want to break open the wonton wrapper and have the filling leak out.
Simmer the dumplings gently for about 5 minutes.
Once done, remove the dumplings from the water using a slotted spoon.
Drain the dumplings well.
Using small serving bowls, place 2-3 dumplings in each bowl.
Top the dumplings with a dollop of sweetened cream.

Variations

Try using different types of berries such as raspberries or blueberries for a unique flavor.
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sugar for a warm and spicy twist.
Serve the saltanosiai with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be careful not to overfill the dumplings with berries, as they may leak out during cooking.

- Make sure to seal the edges of the wonton wrappers well to prevent the filling from spilling out.

- Stir the water gently when cooking the dumplings to prevent them from sticking together.

- Serve the saltanosiai warm for the best taste and texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve saltanosiai as a sweet ending to a traditional Lithuanian meal or as a special treat for a festive occasion.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making perfect saltanosiai is to seal the edges of the dumplings well and to cook them gently in simmering water.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you can't find wonton wrappers, you can use dumpling wrappers or even make your own dough from scratch.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the saltanosiai ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Just make sure to seal them well to prevent the filling from leaking out.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the saltanosiai in small individual bowls topped with a dollop of sweetened sour cream for an elegant presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair saltanosiai with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover saltanosiai in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply steam the dumplings for a few minutes until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of saltanosiai contains approximately 150 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of saltanosiai contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of saltanosiai contains approximately 5 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of saltanosiai contains approximately 3 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Saltanosiai is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants from the berries.

Alergens

Saltanosiai contains gluten from the wonton wrappers and dairy from the sour cream.

Summary

Saltanosiai is a delicious dessert that is relatively low in calories and provides a good source of carbohydrates and fats.

Summary

Saltanosiai is a delightful Lithuanian dessert that is sure to impress your family and friends. With its sweet berry filling and creamy topping, this dish is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Enjoy this traditional treat as a special ending to a meal or as a sweet snack any time of day.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was immediately intrigued. It was written in a delicate script on a yellowed piece of parchment, tucked away in an old cookbook that belonged to my great-grandmother. The title read "Saltanosiai - The Secret Recipe of the Baltic Sea."

As I read through the instructions, I could almost taste the flavors described on the page. The dish was a traditional Lithuanian seafood stew, made with a combination of fresh fish, shrimp, and mussels, simmered in a rich broth flavored with garlic, dill, and saffron. It was a dish that spoke to my roots, to the generations of strong, proud women who came before me and passed down their culinary traditions.

I knew I had to make this dish, to bring a taste of the Baltic Sea into my own kitchen. But the recipe was unlike anything I had ever attempted before, with its complex flavors and precise techniques. I turned to my grandmother, the matriarch of our family, for guidance.

She smiled when I showed her the recipe, her eyes sparkling with recognition. "Ah, Saltanosiai," she said, her voice filled with nostalgia. "I remember my mother making this dish on special occasions, when the whole family would gather around the table to share in its bounty."

My grandmother had learned the recipe from her own mother, who had learned it from her mother before her. It was a dish that had been passed down through the generations, each woman adding her own touch to make it uniquely her own.

Together, my grandmother and I gathered the ingredients we would need to make Saltanosiai. We went to the local fish market to select the freshest seafood, picking out plump shrimp, meaty mussels, and a firm white fish that would hold up well in the stew. We gathered herbs from the garden, chopped garlic and onions, and measured out the spices with care.

As we worked side by side in the kitchen, my grandmother shared stories of her own childhood, of long summer days spent by the sea, of winters huddled around the hearth, and of the women who had shaped her into the cook she was today. I listened with rapt attention, absorbing not just the recipe for Saltanosiai, but the history and traditions that came with it.

Finally, the stew was simmering on the stove, filling the kitchen with its tantalizing aroma. My grandmother and I set the table with crisp white linens and polished silverware, the anticipation building with each passing minute.

When the time came to serve the Saltanosiai, we ladled it into bowls and garnished it with fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon. As I took my first bite, I was transported back in time to a seaside village on the shores of the Baltic Sea, where the salty air mingled with the savory flavors of the stew.

My grandmother watched me with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with pride. "You have done it, my dear," she said. "You have captured the essence of Saltanosiai, just as generations of women before you have done. It is a dish that binds us to our past and nourishes us for the future."

And as I savored each spoonful of the stew, I knew that I had not just learned a recipe, but had discovered a connection to my heritage, to the strong, proud women who had come before me and who would live on in me through the flavors and traditions they had passed down. Saltanosiai was more than just a dish - it was a story, a legacy, a taste of home.