Šurlice: Croatia’s Hand-Rolled Island Pasta

Šurlice – Hand Rolled Island Pasta

On the northern Croatian island of Krk, a plate of šurlice tells an entire story in flour and water. Long, hollow tubes of dough, curled around a knitting needle and left to dry on floured cloths, form one of the island’s signature foods and a culinary emblem for the broader Kvarner region. Simple ingredients anchor the pasta, yet the shaping work, carried out by hand at kitchen tables and in small taverns, signals care, patience, and local pride.

Šurlice belongs firmly to the home kitchen. The dough starts with flour, water, salt, and often a touch of egg and olive oil, then rests until supple enough to roll into ropes and cut into nuggets. Each small piece is pressed and rolled around a thin stick or knitting needle, then gently slipped off, leaving a hollow center that welcomes sauce. On Krk this method has become so closely tied to local identity that entire events, such as Šurlice Days in Vrbnik, celebrate the pasta with demonstrations and long tables of guests eating it in many forms.

The shape itself feels purpose-built for hearty food. Šurlice resemble a more slender cousin of Istrian fuži, yet stretch longer and carry a thicker wall of dough. That structure gives a pleasing bite—firm yet tender—and creates a kind of tunnel for sauce to run through. Meat ragùs and stews cling to the outer ridges while juices seep into the hollow interior, so every forkful delivers both starch and sauce in balance. On Krk, cooks often pair šurlice with lamb or beef stews, seafood braises, or seasonal vegetables, creating a bridge between inland comfort cooking and Adriatic brightness.

This recipe follows that tradition with a slow-cooked beef goulash, rich with onion, tomato, paprika, and red wine. The pairing reflects long ties between Croatian coastal cooking and Central European stews: plenty of onion cooked until sweet, moderate heat from paprika, and meat simmered until yielding but not falling apart. The resulting sauce tastes deep yet gentle, surrounding the hand-rolled pasta without overwhelming it. Lamb appears often in Krk kitchens for this dish, yet well-marbled beef chuck fits readily into many home pantries and responds generously to a slow simmer.

The making of šurlice rewards a steady pace rather than speed. After the dough rests, shaping turns into a quiet rhythm: roll, cut, press, twist around the stick, slide off, and dust with flour. In many homes the work becomes a social task, with several pairs of hands around the table, talking and rolling while trays fill with pale coils of pasta. At festivals and workshop-style tastings on Krk, visitors often watch this process in person, then sit down to plates of steaming pasta dressed with goulash or tomato sauce.

For a home kitchen far from the Adriatic, the same method relies on equipment that feels reassuringly modest: a bowl, a board, and a slim dowel, skewer, or knitting needle. The dough does not require a machine. The sauce calls for time on the stove rather than complex technique. The finished bowl, however, carries a quiet sense of feast—deeply flavored meat over handmade pasta, finished with a little sharp sheep cheese or pecorino and fresh parsley.

Prepared for a weekend gathering or a winter evening, šurlice with beef goulash invites diners into Krk’s food culture through texture and repetition: the chew of the pasta, the gloss of the sauce, the way each hollow tube captures just enough gravy. Once the method settles into hand memory, the dish can move from special project to recurring centerpiece, open to many regional variations—from seafood to spring vegetables—without losing its island character.

Šurlice with Beef Goulash (Hand-Rolled Island Pasta)

Recept készítője Travel S HelperPálya: Konyha: horvátNehézség: Közbülső
Adagok

6

adagok
Előkészítési idő

45

jegyzőkönyv
Főzési idő

120

jegyzőkönyv
Kalória

780

kcal
Pihenőidő

60

jegyzőkönyv

This recipe presents šurlice, the hand-rolled island pasta of Krk, paired with a slow-simmered beef goulash. A firm, elastic dough of flour, egg, water, and olive oil rests, then gets rolled around a slim stick to create long, hollow tubes that cook to a pleasantly chewy texture. While the dough relaxes, beef chuck stews with onion, tomato, paprika, and red wine until the meat turns tender and the sauce thickens, glossy and brick-red. The finished pasta absorbs the sauce both inside and out, so each strand carries meat, sweetness from long-cooked onions, and fragrant paprika. A final shower of grated sheep cheese or pecorino and a scatter of parsley lift the dish at the table. Though rooted in Krk’s festival and family cooking, the method suits any kitchen willing to devote a little time to rolling and simmering.

Hozzávalók

  • Šurlice Pasta
  • 400 g (about 3 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
    Creates a firm, workable dough; bread flour yields a chewier bite, while “00” flour gives a silkier texture.

  • 1 large egg, room temperature
    Adds richness and structure to the dough.

  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
    Deepens color and flavor without adding too much extra moisture.

  • 160–190 ml (⅔–¾ cup) lukewarm water
    Hydrates the dough; exact amount varies with flour and humidity.

  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
    Softens the dough slightly and contributes subtle fruitiness.

  • 1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
    Seasons the pasta from within.

  • Flour for dusting
    Prevents sticking while rolling and shaping.

  • Beef Goulash Sauce
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
    For sautéing and gentle richness in the finished sauce.

  • 800 g (about 1 ¾ lb) beef chuck, cut in 2–3 cm cubes
    Well-marbled and suited to long simmering; shoulder or blade cuts work similarly.

  • 450 g (about 1 lb) yellow onions, finely chopped
    Forms the sweet, savory base of the goulash.

  • 3 gerezd fokhagyma, apróra vágva
    Aromamális mélységet ad.

  • 2 evőkanál paradicsompüré
    Concentrates tomato flavor and helps the sauce cling to the pasta.

  • 400 g (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
    Provides body and gentle acidity; fire-roasted tomatoes add a light smokiness.

  • 250 ml (1 cup) dry red wine
    De-glazes the pan and contributes complexity; a medium-bodied Croatian-style or other Mediterranean red fits well.

  • 500 ml (2 cups) beef stock, low sodium
    Extends the braising liquid while keeping flavors balanced; vegetable stock works for a lighter profile.

  • 2 tsp sweet paprika (Croatian, Hungarian, or Spanish)
    Lends warm color and a gentle pepper note.

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
    Adds a subtle smoky layer, especially pleasant if fire-roasted tomatoes are not used.

  • 1 tsp dried rosemary, lightly crushed
    Echoes herb notes common in regional goulash. 

  • 2 babérlevél
    Give a background herbal aroma.

  • 1–1 ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
    Seasons the sauce and meat.

  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
    Brings gentle heat and complexity.

  • Tálaláshoz
  • 45 g (about ½ cup) finely grated hard sheep cheese or pecorino
    Echoes Krk’s sheep-cheese tradition; Parmesan can stand in if needed. 

    • 2–3 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
      Adds color and freshness at the end.

Útvonalterv

  • Make the Šurlice Dough
  • Combine dry ingredients
    Place the flour and 1 ½ tsp salt in a large mixing bowl and stir to distribute the salt evenly (2 minutes).

  • Add egg, yolk, and most of the water
    Make a shallow well in the center, add the egg, yolk, olive oil, and about ⅔ of the water, then mix with a fork until a shaggy dough forms (3–4 minutes).

  • Knead to a firm, smooth dough
    Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding small splashes of the remaining water only if the dough feels dry, until smooth, elastic, and quite firm (8–10 minutes).

  • Rest the dough
    Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic or cover with an upturned bowl, and let it rest at room temperature while the goulash starts cooking (45–60 minutes).

  • Start the Beef Goulash
  • Brown the beef
    Warm 1 tbsp olive oil in a wide heavy pot over medium-high heat, add the beef in a single layer (in batches if needed), season lightly with salt and pepper, and brown on at least two sides; transfer browned pieces to a plate (10–15 minutes).

  • Cook the onions
    Lower the heat to medium, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and the chopped onions, scrape up browned bits from the pot, and cook until soft and golden, stirring often (12–15 minutes).

  • Add garlic, paprika, and tomato paste
    Stir in the garlic, sweet paprika, smoked paprika if using, and tomato paste, and cook until fragrant and slightly darkened, stirring constantly (2–3 minutes).

  • Deglaze with wine
    Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot, and let it simmer until reduced by about half (4–6 minutes).

  • Build the braise
    Return the browned beef and any collected juices to the pot, add the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, rosemary, bay leaves, and 1 tsp salt, then bring to a gentle simmer (5 minutes).

  • Simmer until tender
    Cover the pot partially and cook at a very gentle simmer, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat as needed, until the beef turns tender and the sauce thickens to a spoon-coating consistency (60–80 minutes).

  • Shape the Šurlice
  • Divide and roll the dough
    Uncover the rested dough, cut it into 4 equal pieces, keep 3 pieces covered, and roll the first piece into a rope about 1–1.5 cm thick (3–5 minutes).

  • Cut into small nuggets
    Slice the rope into pieces about 2–3 cm long, dust them lightly with flour, and cover with a cloth while working (3 minutes).

  • Form the hollow pasta
    Take one piece, flatten it slightly in the palm, place the floured dowel or needle along its length, then roll the dough around it with the other hand until it forms a uniform tube; slide the tube off gently and set it on a floured tray (10–15 minutes per quarter of dough).

  • Repeat with remaining dough
    Work through the remaining pieces of that portion, then repeat with the other three quarters, keeping finished šurlice lightly floured and in a single layer so they do not stick (30–40 minutes).

  • Finish the Sauce & Cook the Pasta
  • Adjust the goulash
    Taste the sauce, add salt and pepper as needed, and remove the bay leaves; if it seems too thick, loosen with a splash of stock or water, and if too loose, simmer uncovered for a few minutes (5–10 minutes).

  • Boil the pasta water
    Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil; aim for water that tastes pleasantly seasoned (10 minutes, overlapping with step 15).

  • Cook the šurlice
    Shake excess flour from the pasta, add it to the boiling water, stir gently to prevent sticking, and cook until the tubes float and feel tender yet pleasantly chewy at the center (5–7 minutes).

  • Combine pasta and sauce
    Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked šurlice directly into the simmering goulash, reserving some pasta water; toss gently, adding a ladle of pasta water if needed to loosen and gloss the sauce (3–4 minutes).

  • Befejezés és tálalás
    Stir in most of the grated cheese and parsley, leaving a little for garnish, then serve the pasta and beef goulash in warm bowls with extra cheese and parsley on top (2–3 minutes).

Tippek, hibaelhárítás és variációk

  • Substitutions & Allergy Notes - Gluten-free option: A firm, high-quality gluten-free flour blend designed for pasta can replace the wheat flour; dough texture will differ and shaping may require a lighter touch. Egg-free pasta: Leave out egg and yolk, increase water slightly, and add 1 extra tablespoon of olive oil; the texture becomes a bit less rich but still shapable. Meat choices Lamb shoulder or leg cubes echo traditional versions, while pork shoulder or turkey thigh provide alternate options with similar timing. Short on time: High-quality dried short pasta or dried penne can stand in; the dish shifts from strictly traditional to a more accessible weeknight version, yet the goulash still shines. Dairy-free finish: Omit the cheese or use a nut-based hard-style grated alternative; watch overall seasoning, as cheese adds both salt and savoriness.
  • Serving Suggestions & Pairings - Serve šurlice in wide, shallow bowls so the hollow tubes and chunks of beef remain visible and easy to scoop. Offer extra grated sheep cheese or pecorino at the table; the sharp, salty edge balances the sweetness of long-cooked onions. A simple side of blanched chard and potatoes dressed with olive oil, or a crisp green salad with lemon and olive oil, keeps the plate grounded and not overly heavy. White wines from Krk such as žlahtina traditionally appear with local pasta and seafood; for beef goulash, a light red with moderate tannin fits especially well.
  • Storage & Reheating - Refrigeration: Store pasta and goulash together in an airtight container for 3–4 days, or store sauce and plain boiled pasta separately to protect texture. Freezing: Freeze the beef goulash alone in well-sealed containers for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove. The raw shaped šurlice can be frozen in a single layer on trays, then transferred to bags; cook from frozen, extending boiling time slightly. Reheating: Warm leftovers in a covered pan over low to medium heat, adding a splash of water or stock so the sauce regains a fluid, glossy consistency. Pasta softens on reheating, yet the dish remains satisfying and flavorful.
  • Chef’s Tips (3 Practical Pointers) - Aim for a firm dough: A slightly stiff dough keeps its shape around the stick; if it feels soft or sticky, knead in a small amount of flour and extend the resting time by 10–15 minutes. Roll with light, even pressure: When shaping, let the stick or needle rotate under the palm rather than pressing hard; gentle, repeated passes create a uniform tube that slides off cleanly without tearing. Control the goulash simmer: A very gentle bubble prevents the meat from tightening and drying; if the surface looks too active, lower the heat and slide the pot slightly off-center on the burner.
  • Equipment Needed: Large mixing bowl. Kitchen scale and measuring cups/spoons. Sturdy wooden board or clean work surface for kneading and shaping. Sharp knife or bench scraper. Thin wooden dowel, metal skewer, or knitting needle (3–4 mm thick). Clean kitchen towels or cloths for covering dough and pasta. Large, wide heavy pot or Dutch oven for goulash. Large stockpot for boiling pasta. Slotted spoon or spider skimmer. Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula. Cheese grater. Serving bowls and ladle.

Nutrition Facts (Estimated, per Serving)

Approximate values for 1 of 6 servings, including pasta, goulash, and cheese garnish:

TáplálóAmount per serving (approx.)
Kalória~780 kcal
Szénhidrátok~62 g
Fehérje~46 g
Összes zsír~39 g
Rost~4 g
Nátrium~900 mg (varies with stock and added salt)
AllergénekWheat (gluten), egg, milk (cheese)

Values derive from standard USDA ingredient data and will vary with specific brands, cuts of meat, and exact salt levels.

augusztus 11, 2024

Velence, az Adriai-tenger gyöngyszeme

Romantikus csatornáival, lenyűgöző építészetével és nagy történelmi jelentőségével Velence, ez a bájos Adriai-tenger partján fekvő város, lenyűgözi a látogatókat. Ennek a nagyszerű központnak a…

Velence-az-Adria-tenger-gyöngy
augusztus 12, 2024

Top 10 – Európa pártvárosai

Fedezze fel Európa leglenyűgözőbb városainak nyüzsgő éjszakai életét, és utazzon emlékezetes úti célokra! London vibráló szépségétől az izgalmas energiákig…

A 10 legjobb-EURÓPAI-SZÓRAKOZÁS-FŐVÁROS-Utazás-S-Helper