Learning How To Make Dumplings

Learning How To Make Dumplings At A Mountain Hut In Italy.

Just who's the man in the funny looking hat? And why am I laughing so hard? Meet Franz Mulser, chef at Gostner Schwaige Mountain Hut in Alpe Di Suisi (Seisor Alm) located in the Italian Alps. Franz led myself and a group of very hungry travel bloggers through a cooking class where we learned how to make dumplings from scratch. I happened to be laughing at Franz's very honest proclamation that my dumplings were done "Cheryl style". It was his "nice" way to tell me that my dumpling making skills weren't exactly up to par.

The Gostner Schwaige Mountain Hut is really a special place. Set against this dramatic and beautiful landscape, the mountain hut has a restaurant which offers the perfect opportunity to stop and eat a meal after a day spent hiking the nearby trails. As you eat your meal, you might even be serenaded by this adorable old man playing the accordion. If hiking is not your thing, you can also take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride up to the mountain hut.

Franz not only serves delicious fresh food to his customers (we cooked with mushrooms picked that very day), he also offers cooking courses where you can learn not only how to make local specialities like dumplings but cook outdoors using this old wooden stove. That morning, we learned how to make two kinds of dumplings - one filled with meat which was our main course and another filled with fruit for dessert providing us with a delectable combination. Suiting up in "proper" attire, it was time for the cooking class to begin.

The best part of the experience was of course, being able to eat the "fruits of our labours". I can honestly say that this meal was one of the best I've ever eaten! Thanks to Franz, I'm now a woman obsessed with dumplings. If you're interested in learning how to make this at home, I'd suggest reading the ever wonderful Laurel's post where she provides the recipe and outlines step-by-step instructions for making the dumplings. Better yet, come to Gosner Schwaige Mountain Hut and sign up to take this very same cooking class!