Ah, Hungary has several delicious cheese-based dishes, but one of the most famous is “Lángos with Cheese” or “Hungarian Cheese Strudel” (Túrós Rétes). I’ll give you a classic Hungarian cheese strudel (Túrós Rétes) recipe, which uses a soft, slightly tangy curd cheese.
Hungarian Cheese Strudel (Túrós Rétes)
Ingredients (for 1 large strudel)
For the filling:
- 1 1/2 cups quark cheese or farmer’s cheese (or ricotta as a substitute)
- 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- 2 tablespoons raisins (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sour cream or heavy cream
For the dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1/4 cup water (adjust as needed)
For brushing:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Prepare the dough
- Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add oil and water gradually, kneading until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the filling
- In a bowl, mix the cheese, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon zest, raisins, and sour cream until smooth.
3. Roll out the dough
- Roll the dough on a floured surface into a thin rectangle (or as thin as possible).
- Carefully transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Assemble the strudel
- Spread the cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving about 1 inch at the edges.
- Roll the dough carefully into a log, sealing the edges.
5. Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the strudel seam-side down on a baking sheet.
- Brush with melted butter.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve
- Cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
💡 Tips:
- Traditional Hungarian strudel uses túrós cheese, which is slightly tangy—ricotta works as a substitute.
- For a richer flavor, mix in a little cream cheese.
- You can also make a savory version with feta and herbs.
If you want, I can also give a Hungarian fried cheese snack recipe (like Rántott Sajt), which is another iconic cheese dish from Hungary.
Do you want me to give that recipe too?
