Karelian pies, or Karjalanpiirakka, are a tasty Finnish treat that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Finland. These oval-shaped pies feature a thin, crispy rye crust filled with a creamy rice goodness. In this Karjalanpiirakka recipe, we’ll guide you through the steps to make these delicious pies right in your own kitchen. Get ready to indulge in the authentic flavors of Finland!
Karelian Pies (Karjalanpiirakka) Recipe
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 2 cups rye flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the filling:
- 1 cup short-grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk
For the egg butter:
- 3 hard-boiled eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Salt, to taste
Instructions:
- Let’s get started with the crust:
- Grab a big mixing bowl and throw in the rye flour, all-purpose flour, and salt. Mix them all together.
- Slowly add the warm water and vegetable oil while you stir it up with a wooden spoon or just dive in with your hands. Get ready to get a little messy!
- Knead that dough until it becomes nice and smooth. It should feel elastic, like a fun stress ball. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it chill for about 30 minutes.
- Time to tackle the filling:
- Rinse that short-grain rice under some cold water to get rid of any extra starch hanging around.
- Take a medium saucepan and bring the water to a boil. Add some salt and toss in the rice. Now, reduce the heat to low, cover that saucepan, and let it simmer for around 15-20 minutes. You want that rice to be tender and soaking up all the liquid.
- Pour in the milk and continue cooking the rice mixture over low heat. Give it a stir every now and then until it thickens up and looks like a cozy porridge. Take it off the heat and let it cool down a bit.
- Time to shape those pies:
- Crank up your oven to 475°F (245°C). Find a baking sheet and line it up with parchment paper. This will make your life easier later on.
- Grab a small handful of dough, like you’re making a snowball, and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Keep rolling until you get a thin oval shape. You should be able to see through it, but it shouldn’t fall apart.
- Plop a spoonful of that creamy rice filling right in the middle of the dough. Yum!
- Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, but leave the center exposed. Pinch those edges together, so it forms a thin border around the rice. Repeat this with the rest of the dough and filling.
- Pop those pies in the oven:
- Transfer your beautifully shaped pies to the baking sheet you prepared earlier. Slide them into the preheated oven and let them bake for about 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they’re done when the crust turns a lovely golden brown and gets nice and crispy.
- Take those piping hot pies out of the oven and give them some time to cool down on a wire rack.
- Whip up some egg butter goodness:
- Time to get cracking—literally! Grab those hard-boiled eggs and chop them up into little pieces. Throw them into a bowl.
- Add the softened butter and mix it all together until you have a creamy and dreamy egg butter. Sprinkle in some salt to taste and give it another good mix.
- It’s feast time:
- Once your Karelian pies have cooled down, grab a butter knife and generously spread that egg butter on top of each pie. Go on, don’t be shy!
- Now, it’s time to dig in and savor the flavors of Finland. Enjoy these pies as a snack or part of a meal. They go perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or a nice cuppa tea.
Karelian Pies (Karjalanpiirakka) Recipe – Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve just made your own batch of homemade Karelian pies, bringing the flavors of Finland right into your kitchen. With their crispy rye crust and creamy rice filling, these little treats are a delightful taste of Finnish cuisine. Whether you enjoy them as a snack or a meal, with a cup of coffee or tea, these authentic Karelian pies are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.
