{Guest Blogger: Cassie Corbett} Whole Wheat Vegetarian Runzas

A runza is a softball-sized dough pocket stuffed traditionally with beef, cabbage, onions and seasoning. However, I’ve grown fond of a certain vegetarian version of them. These hearty pouches of goodness can make anyone happy, and I’m here to tell you how to create them.

The Runza movement started in Russia, transitioned through Germany and ended up here in the United States for all of us to enjoy. The exact filling is up to you, but I have one below that you should definitely try occasion!

You'll make the dough and then let it rise while you prepare the rest of the meal. The recipe below produces 4-6 servings of average-size runzas. Based on number of people and specific dietary requirements, you may need to alter the ingredients somewhat.



Ingredients for Dough

• 1 teaspoon of unrefined sugar
• 1 ½ cups of warm water
• 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour

Directions for Dough

1. In a large cookware bowl, stir the sugar into the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast on the top and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
2. Stir the olive oil into the mixture, followed by the salt.
3. Mix in the whole wheat flour and stir, while simultaneously pouring in the all-purpose flour to even it out.
4. Let sit for 20 minutes.
5. Pour entire contents onto a cutting board that is coated with flour before kneading it until all of the flour is absorbed into the mixture.
6. Place dough in an olive oil-coated bowl.
7. Let it stand, covered, for roughly an hour to rise

Once the dough is made, you'll decide what ingredients you’d like to use, then prepare them to be baked inside of the dough. Below are some recommended ingredients that have proven to taste amazing inside of the runzas.

Ingredients for Filling

• 1 large organic onion, diced
• 4 cloves of fresh garlic, diced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
• 1 pound organic button/chanterelle mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium organic cabbage, chopped
• 1 brick of gourmet sharp cheddar cheese, shaved

Directions for Filling

1. In a large pan, toss in all ingredients aside from cheese with olive oil.
2. Sauté on medium heat for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Turn heat off and let mixture sit.

After the dough and filling are prepped, you'll build the runzas by hand. Then they're baked. 

Assembly Directions

1. Separate the dough into 4-5 baseball-sized balls.
2. Flatten them out on a baking sheet lightly coated with olive oil.
3. When they are flat, add a pile of the filling ingredients to the middle of each one with a large spoon.
4. After there are mounds of the filling on each pancake-looking dough circle, add cheddar cheese to the top.
5. When everything is on the dough, pull the sides up and push them together at the top, forming a knapsack-looking dough pocket.
6. Make sure the top is completely enclosed, even if you have to twist it together.
7. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees, until golden brown on the outside.

Enjoy! Runzas are an awesome comfort food, and are a healthier option if made this way. They’re a great choice for dinner, particularly during the winter months. The exact ingredients are up to you, but this is a platform for you to begin your journey down Runza Lane.

Cassie Corbett would sleep in the kitchen if it wasn’t weird. When she’s not preparing her next meal, she writes for World Kitchen about bakeware and other houseware items.