Some are calling it the “next generation donut” or “the new bagel.” In reality, they’re anything but a recent food fad. So forget everything you think you know about kolaches…THESE are the real deal. Open wide for authentic Czech kolaches from Chef Denise Mazal of the spectacular Little Gretel Restaurant in beautiful Boerne.
Every nook and cranny of this charming Hill Country pastry haven has a history. In fact, Denise’s ancestors from the Czech Republic are some of the first folks to settle in the United States. How’s that for a family tree!
Chef Denise shared a neat custom concerning brides in the Old Country, and how, before getting married, the bride-to-be was expected to bake homemade kolaches — 18 for every person invited to her wedding — in order to prove she was able to cook and care for a family of her own. Can you imagine? Talk about a tasty task! 🙂
Now you can try your hand at Denise’s recipe for Czech Traditional Farmer’s Cheese and Peach Kolaches, as shown below…
Little Gretel’s menu preserves the rich flavor and tradition of Chef Denise’s own heritage. Each and every dish is prepared to order, and features items that are fresh, vibrant, and locally grown (whenever possible). Kolaches are one of her specialties. And don’t just take our word for it…the New York Times agrees!
The columnist for this article actually referred a would-be customer all the way from Colorado to Little Gretel. Apparently the customer was looking for “the best and most authentic kolaches available in the USA,” — now that’s quite a compliment. One phone call later and an order was placed by the curious man for 2 dozen…with shipping charges in excess of $80! Money well spent as the customer loved them.
Chef Denise assembles her kolaches in stages, beginning with rolling and flattening her dough, then pressing it and inserting the fillings (usually sweetened cheese or fruit). Once they’re ready, into the oven they go until they’re dense, golden brown and round.
At Little Gretel, you can decide between Czech Kolaches (fresh baked and filled with choice of farmer’s cheese and fruit, poppyseed or plum jelly), or their signature line of “WĂĽrst” Kolaches, filled with your choice of kielbasa sausage or jalapeño. They’re available on both the breakfast and Sunday brunch menus there. We bet you’ll manage to have more than one…we couldn’t help it!
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Gay Ward says
Little Gretel is a fabulous place. We have so many great places in Boerne. Have you checked out “Sugar Belles”?…the little cupcake house off of the main plaza.