A Small Batch Nebraska Runzas#BreadBakers

Runzas? You might wonder, “What is a runza?”
Runzas are a cherished part of the regional cuisine of Nebraska. A runza is a classic, savory buttery bread filled with beef mince, cabbage, spinach and onion filled sandwich, which is baked in a pocket of yeasted dough. They are so amazing, delicious and filling!

Their origin is that they are from Russia or Germany, and came to the U.S. via the Volga Germans who settled in Nebraska, Kansas, North and South Dakota in the 1900s. The shape depends on the region. In Nebraska, runzas are shaped into an elongated roll.

The bread for these runzas is super soft and light, and the dough is very easy to work with. It's enriched with butter, eeg and milk. This recipe makes 3 runzas, make a larger batch and freeze, they reheat perfectly.
Makes 3
Ingredients
For The Dough
150 Grams All Purpose Flour
3 Grams Instant Yeast
6 Grams Caster Sugar
½ Teaspoon Sea Salt
20 Grams Salted Butter
60Ml Warm Milk
Warm Water - to knead as required
1 Egg Yolk
1 Egg Yolk + 1 Tablespoon water - for brushing the buns
For The Filling
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 Medium Onion - finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
250 Grams Lean Beef Mince
½ Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Cup Shredded Cabbage
½ Cup Chopped Spinach
Salt & Black Pepper to taste
½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
½ Cup Shredded Cheese
Method
For The Dough

Dissolve the yeast in the water and let sit for a few minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, sugar, and salt and whisk.
In a bowl, add the milk, melted butter, eggs, and yeast mixture. Whisk until combined and pour it into the flour mixture. Stir with a dough whisk or wooden spoon until you have a rough dough. Add little water at a time to make a nice soft dough then knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic and till it passes the window pane test. Place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover, place it in a warm spot, and let rise for 25 to 30 minutes.

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling.

Heat the oil in a skillet, add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 minutes more. Add the Worcestershire sauce, cabbage, spinach and cook, stirring regularly, for about 6 - 8 minutes. Generously season the mixture with red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper to taste. It's best to over season the filling ( it does not taste bland).
Turn off the heat and let the filling completely cool. You can make this filling day ahead and cool it in the refrigerator.
Let's Make The Runzas

Once the dough has doubled in size then.

Punch the dough and divide dough into 3 equal pieces ( each weighed around 93 grams), gently forming small balls.

Roll each piece of dough into rectangle circle (middle of the circles a little thicker than the edges. If the dough is too thin in the middle, it gets kind of see through on top when baking).

Place shredded cheese. Spoon the filling over cheese and again cheese

pinch edges of dough (dip your finger in warm water and run it along the edge of the dough) together to form slightly elongated / oblong bun.

Transfer bun, seam side down, to prepared baking sheet keeping them little apart so that the stick together while baking (they will be like pull part buns with soft sides). Repeat with remaining dough and filling, placing buns on baking sheet. Cover buns with plastic wrap or wet kitchen towel and let rise until puffed, about 20 minutes.

Brush the buns with egg wash and bake in a preheated oven @ 180°C with both elements on until golden brown, about 18 - 20 minutes, switching and rotating position of baking sheets halfway through baking time.

Brush buns with melted butter or rub the buns with a stick of butter while they are still warm. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with ketchup or just like this !
Labels: American, Beef, Bread Bakers, Cabbage, Cheese, International Cuisine, Mince, Spinach, Stuffed Bread

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For Bread Bakers this month we sharing "Stuffed Buns Recipes"