These Russo-German beef-cabbage mixtures encased in yeast dough were called kraut runsas by German farmers who had first settled in Russia and then emigrated to Nebraska. Later they became kraut baroques. Today the local chains of Runza Huts and Runza Drive-Inns have copyrighted the name for a dish not unlike a Cornish pasty. Nebraskans on home leave always return with runzas.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup milk
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup butter
- 2 ¼ cups rye flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 packages dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 ½ cups white flour, approximately
- Beef filling (see recipe)
The filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 cups finely shredded cabbage
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- ⅓ cup water
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (14 servings)
345 calories; 15 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 40 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 13 grams protein; 68 milligrams cholesterol; 209 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
Filling for eight runzas
Preparation
- Heat milk, water and butter together until the mixture is lukewarm; pour into electric mixer.
- Add rye flour, sugar, yeast and salt and mix.
- Beat in eggs for three minutes.
- Blend in enough white flour, about 2 1/2 cups, to make a soft dough.
- Let rise in a warm place, covered, about one hour, until doubled in bulk.
- Meanwhile, prepare the ground beef filling.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Roll out the dough and cut into eight squares of equal size, about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.
- Divide the filling into eight portions and place a portion of filling in the center of each square.
- Take the corners of each square and fold in to center to make an envelope, pressing edges together.
- Place the runzas on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
The filling:
- Place all ingredients in a saucepan and cook until beef is brown.
1 hour 30 minutes
Dining and Cooking