Debut mystery author Kelly Brakenhoff is an American Sign Languageinterpreter, scone baker, half-marathon runner, chocolate lover, Hufflepuff,wife & mom, dog petter, and Husker fan. Learn more about her and her books at her website.
When Cassandra Sato,the main character in Death byDissertation, moves from big city Hawai'i to rural Nebraska, she expectsthe food to taste foreign. After all, growing up on an island, she was used tofresh seafood, sushi, and Spam— the comfort food in a can. The only fish she'slikely to find in Nebraska comes from a stream or the freezer.
One of the firstunusual meals she encounters is a German concoction called a Bierock. They'remeat and cabbage stuffed in yeast bread hand-pies. Cassandra is surprised todiscover there's a Midwest-famous restaurant chain with a devoted fan base ofBierock-loving Nebraskans called Runza. (Definitely stop there if you're everdriving I-80 through Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, or Colorado.) Cassandra's hesitantat first, but soon grows to like them, especially when she realizes one candouble as a hand-warmer during chilly fall football Saturdays.
If you're not from theMidwest, likely you've never heard of Bierocks either, but I promise they aredelicious. They also freeze well and make for easy picnic or potluck food. Nofork required.
When my family didn’tlive in Nebraska, our first stop after arriving at the airport was always theRunza restaurant drive-thru for a hometown meal of delicious, hot Runza andFrings (a genius combination of fries and onion rings).
Occasionally, we hosteda football watch party or got a craving for them when we couldn't buy the realthing. Over the years, I’ve tried many different Bierock recipes. This oneincorporates whole-wheat flour and Greek yogurt to make a quick, healthybreaded crust for a traditional, Nebraska Bierock. My favorite are the SwissMushroom Bierocks, but you can change up the cheese if you want a different twistusing American, Provolone & peppers for a Philly Bierock, or Pepperjack fora more southwest flavor.
Quick & Healthy Bierocks (homemade Nebraska Runzas)
Featuring awhole-wheat, no-yeast dough, these Swiss Mushroom Bierocks take less than anhour start to finish. They are great for football tailgate parties, potlucks,or Husker ex-pats who miss eating our beloved Runzas.
Serves 8
Ingredients:
Dough
3 cups wholewheat flour
3 cups plainGreek yogurt
1-1/2 T. bakingpowder
1-1/2 tsp. salt
Filling
1 lb. groundbeef
1 med. onion,chopped
1 bag coleslawmix
1 tsp.Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. seasonedsalt
8 slices Swisscheese (optional)
8 small baby Portobellomushrooms, chopped (optional)
Preheat ovento 375. Prepare a large baking sheet with foil and cooking spray or parchmentpaper. (Less clean-up later, you’re welcome.)
Brown thehamburger and onions in the largest frying pan you own. You might need 2 mediumpans if you don’t have one large enough. If you decide to add the mushrooms,throw them in with the meat and onions.
In a largemixing bowl, add flour, baking powder and salt, and mix well. Add the yogurtand mix until all of the flour is incorporated into a batter. Knead the dough untilit’s dry and elastic (this will take about 1 minute—if it’s super-sticky, youcan always add some extra flour). Then, divide the dough into 8 equal sizeballs. Using your hands or a rolling pin, spread the dough rounds into 6”x4”rectangles.
Once the meetis browned and the onions and mushrooms are soft, add Worcestershire, oregano,seasoned salt, and pepper to taste. Now add the whole package of cabbage to theskillet. Itmight not all fit at once, but stir the bottom bits to the topfrequently until the whole thing is lightly stir-fried. Do not overcook thecabbage.
Place oneslice of Swiss cheese on each of the rolled dough pieces. Some people likeAmerican, Provolone, or Pepper Jack cheese instead. Spoon 2 generous spoonfulsof meat on each dough. Roll up the longer sides of the rectangle and pinch themtogether, then gather the short sides and pinch together. Flip the pinchedseams to the bottom. The finished Bierocks should be fairly large and rectangleshaped.
Bake at 375degrees for 20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool forabout 5 minutes before serving. They are good plain or with ketchup.
Death By Dissertation
Ambitious Cassandra Satotraded her life in Hawai’i for a dream position at Morton College in ruralNebraska. She expected the Midwestern church casseroles, land-lockedcornfields, and face-freezing winters would be her biggest challenges, but it’sher job that’s rapidly becoming a nightmare.
A deaf student is dead andthe investigation reveals a complicated trail of connections between campusfood service, a local farmer’s beef, and the science lab’s cancer research.Together with her few allies, Cassandra must protect the students caught up inthe entanglement.
Dealing with homesickness,vandalism, and a stalker, Cassandra is trapped in a public relations disasterthat could cost her job, or more. No one said college was easy.
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