Czech Fruit Dumplings

This is the most delicious thing you will ever eat. It requires some time, but let the children help you. You will have a lot of fun, and the result is amazing.

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   NB this recipe needs 1.5 hours rising time.
   
   Crumble the yeast into a jug, tsp icing sugar, tsp flour and 2 tbsp warm milk. Mix and leave to ferment in a warm place until it has doubled in size. Sift the remaining flour into a large bowl; make a well in the centre and add the egg, yeast and the rest of the warm milk. Gradually mix in the flour and then add salt. Mix the dough until it is smooth and shiny - it should form air bubbles and not stick to the spoon. Make into a large ball, lightly sprinkle with flour, cover with a clean cloth and leave to rise for 1.5 hours. Knock it out and knead on a floured board. Hull the strawberries, and if large, cut in half (cut plums into quarters). Take pieces of the dough mixture and wrap round the fruit into dumplings. At this stage they can be left for several hours in the fridge until required. To cook, place in boiling water for 5-8 minutes. Take out carefully with slotted spoon. Put 2-3 on each plate, drizzle over melted butter and sprinkle over icing sugar. Serve with a large dollop of cottage cheese.
   
   You will never taste anything so good......