Mandlech: Jewish Fried Dumplings
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 3 1x
Description
All it takes is just a few simple ingredients to make these fried dumplings that get added to chicken soup for a comforting dish.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil
- 1/2 tbsp (7 ml) vinegar
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
- all-purpose flour in quantities sufficient to make soft non-sticky dough
- oil or rendered chicken fat (or a combination of both) for frying — about 1 cup (240 ml) or even less, which can be strained and reused again later
Instructions
- In a bowl whisk lightly egg(s), water and oil
- Put 1/4 tsp baking soda in a tbsp, pour vinegar over to generate foam. Pour the foam into the bowl
- Add salt and flour. I intentionally didn’t specify the flour quantity because you want to add it in small batches until soft dough forms which no longer sticks to your hands. The final quantity will greatly depend on the size and number of the eggs, so you be the judge.
- On a lightly floured surface, divide your dough into small portions, about the size of a Roma tomato
- Roll each portion of the dough into a stick about 3/4″ thick. Take care to roll it tightly to prevent cracks and tears.
- WIth a sharp knife, chop the dough stick into dumplings, about 1/2 to 3/4″ thick.
- Heat oil or chicken fat (or both) in a small saucepan. There should be enough oil in a pan to cover one layer of dumplings, no more is needed really.
- Drop dumplings about 20 pieces at a time into hot oil, swirl them around with a spoon to prevent sticking to each other. Swirl again in a few seconds to fry evenly on all sides. Dumplings are ready when they are at least golden on all sides. If you like them crunchier, fry a bit longer, but don’t brown them too much.
- Remove fried dumplings from oil with a slotted spoon.
- Enjoy your dumplings, a few pieces at a time to prevent soggy mess, in a bowl of golden chicken stock
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t the recipe specify an exact amount of flour?
The flour amount is left open intentionally because it depends heavily on the size of your egg — the recipe instructs you to add flour in small batches until you have a soft dough that no longer sticks to your hands. The exact quantity will vary each time.
What does the vinegar and baking soda step actually do?
Pouring vinegar over the baking soda in the spoon generates foam (a quick acid-base reaction). That foam is immediately stirred into the wet ingredients, giving the dough a very slight lift that keeps the fried dumplings from being dense.
Can I use oil instead of chicken fat for frying, and can the frying fat be reused?
Yes — the recipe explicitly offers oil, rendered chicken fat, or a combination of both. It also notes that about 1 cup (240 ml) or even less is sufficient, and the fat can be strained and reused afterward. 
