Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (2024)

FAQs

Why does my noodle Kugel fall apart? ›

Make Sure to Cool Your Kugel

Once it's baked, a kugel needs to cool, otherwise it will fall apart when slicing. Give it at least an hour to cool and set up, then slice and serve it warm or at room temperature.

Kugel is a sweet, egg noodle casserole. The noodles are boiled and then baked with some sugar, eggs, sour cream and cottage cheese. It's our family tradition to also add raisins.

Storing leftover baked kugel: Let cool completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. How to freeze noodle kugel: Unbaked or baked, kugel should be tightly sealed in plastic wrap and again in foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking or reheating.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Drop in the egg noodles and stir so they don't stick. Cook until just past al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.

As Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz once said, “Jews eat lots of lokshen on Shabbat because noodles are symbolic of the unity of the people of Israel: They are so tangled that they can never be separated.” Noodle kugel may not actually be eaten by all Jews, but it has clearly reached far beyond mere Ashkenazi cuisine.

If you opt for fresh noodles (typically found cozied up in the refrigerator section of stores), seal them in an air-tight container.

History. The first kugels were made from bread and flour and were savory rather than sweet. About 800 years ago, Jewish cooks in Germany replaced bread mixtures with lokshen noodles or farfel. Eventually eggs were incorporated.

The kugel was born in Eastern Europe as a leftover bread pastry with fat and eggs and only eight centuries ago evolved into the lokshen (noodle) kugel we know today. Rice kugels were invented in the 16th century thanks to Ottoman influences, and the popular Polish potato kugel showed up in the nineteenth century.

Do You Eat Noodle Kugel Hot or Cold? While noodle kugel should be removed from the oven and cooled for at least 30 minutes after baking, it can be eaten at any temperature. Eaten warm, when just set, noodle kugel's texture is more akin to a baked mac and cheese (the extra-crunchy noodles on top might be the best part.)

Kugel is traditionally served as a side dish alongside something meaty like brisket or roast chicken. In this case it would normally be served warm, but it can also be refrigerated and eaten cold the next day. Sweeter versions can also be eaten hot or cold, and taste great with fresh cream or vanilla ice cream.

Is kugel always sweet? ›

And even once you get into the category of noodle kugel (a.k.a. lokshen kugel), you'll find some are sweet, some are savory, and some are in limbo (Jerusalem kugel, for example, is flavored with lots of black pepper and caramelized sugar).

“Doneness” really depends on your personal preference. Start by checking for doneness at the minimum recommended cooking time on the package. Test by tasting a single piece. Noodles should be “al dente” (“to the tooth”) or tender with a slight bite or firmness.

Egg noodles' nutritional content is similar to that of regular pasta but slightly lower in calories, carbs, and protein ( 1 , 2 ). They're also often enriched, meaning that certain vitamins and minerals have been added, increasing their nutritional value.

By covering the pot, no water vapor can escape, meaning the temperatures will rise a bit more quickly than if the pot was uncovered (via Cook's Illustrated). Once the water has come to a bubbly boil and you've added the pasta, the Italian experts from Eataly recommend removing the lid.

Egg noodles are more delicate than wheat noodles and can easily fall apart if you overcook them or stir them too vigorously. Here are some tips to help you cook egg noodles successfully: Use a large pot with plenty of water.

Water Temperature, a higher temp will cause them to break down. Noodle Temperature, not the right temp when entering the water. Agitation, too much stirring after they are added.

One of the most common reasons for mushy noodles is overcooking. Pasta, including noodles, has a relatively short cooking time compared to other ingredients typically prepared in a crockpot. If you leave the noodles in the slow cooker for too long, they will absorb too much liquid and become soft and mushy.

Tearing can be caused by your pasta dough sticking to the roller on your pasta machine. A sprinkle of cornflour should help. Pasta can also tear if you move the dough through the machine too quickly, so slowing down the process could help too.