Who doesn't like polenta, or turkey? Although it's been less common on our plates than rice or potatoes in recent decades, this golden yellow side dish made from cornmeal is a fantastic accompaniment to roast meats, duck and goose breasts.
This side dish, which is basically of northern Italian origin, is also very popular in the Hungarian countryside, but it is also a favourite of the Transylvanian people, who like to eat it with scrambled eggs. Recently, restaurants in the capital have begun to rediscover it: although it is often listed on menus under the more fashionable name of „polenta”, the dish itself is a traditional pulisca. It is no wonder that this pasta has been known for centuries in Austria, especially in Styria, and we Hungarians have usually found it in the huts when skiing, as well as in the potato dumplings, which are also very popular there.
Meisterfrost, a company specialising in internationally renowned delicacies, has a portfolio rich in Austrian cuisine.
Like in the days of our grandmothers
Few people know it, but Austrian pasta experts have been on the market since 1985. Meisterfrost started as a simple family business In the east of Styria, in a small village called Rohrbach an der Lafnitz. At first, their aim was to supply fries to the local restaurants and hotels - but soon success came, and with it ever-higher expectations: the production of pancakes, strudels and dumplings was launched.
Over the last 30 years the company has grown into a true concept in Austria. Their frozen products deliver the same authentic, homemade flavours as if they came straight from grandma's kitchen. All this is combined with state-of-the-art technology, proving that tradition and progress are not mutually exclusive.
The Matusz-Vad Zrt. offer you will find potato dumplings and bun dumplings, which can be traditional accompaniments to game dishes. You can also get some of our favourites from Austria, such as pancakes with apricot filling or Mohr im Hemd chocolate cake. And let's not forget the pancake dough strips, or fridattos. This is usually used as a soup garnish by Austrians and evokes the atmosphere of Styrian restaurants for all of us.
„Crafts are still a very important topic for us. The more craftsmanship behind a product, the more authentic it tastes.” - are of the opinion Meisterfrost. They know they have to meet a double standard: on the one hand, it's essential to put food on the table that can be prepared in a flash. On the other hand, it's important to deliver the flavours of home in this form.
„Épp like the time of our grandmotherséat” - is the motto of the company, where the dumplings are also shaped by hand. That's how they achieve the light, crumbly texture of the original recipe, as well as the high quality. But the artisanal method is used to make the emperor's crumbs, i.e. kaiserschmarrn workers pour the dough into the pan, turn it over and bake it themselves.
The apple crumble is baked in the same way, which they knead and stretch themselves - sparing no time or effort. The filling is made by human hands, and they also do the hardest part: rolling up the dough. A tea towel helps them do this, making a perfectly tear-free roll.
The most important part of the process is rolling out the dough. Tradition says that the pastry should be so translucently thin that you can read the day's newspaper through it! It is this technique that really distinguishes artisan pastry from that which is machine-pressed.
Sustainability above all
A Master Frost principle of using primarily raw materials from the region, such as fresh Styrian apples, flour, butter and milk, which contributes to the sustainable use of resources and raw materials. The products are made exclusively with water treated with the Grander water revitalizer. Thanks to this, the water regains its original structure, becomes more resistant and its self-cleaning capacity is enhanced.
The mirelite giant avoids additives, flavour enhancers and other artificial flavourings by far, and only adds salt and sugar in the minimum quantities necessary. The guidelines of the International Food Safety Standard (IFS) are strictly adhered to, which allows the origin of the raw materials to be traced along the entire value chain. The IFS requires the origin of raw materials and finished products to be precisely traceable, as well as the highest standards of hygiene.
A Master Frost and has its own four photovoltaic solar panel systems and a small hydroelectric power plant. Together, these provide around 300 kW of energy, which covers almost all the energy needs of the production. So the company uses its own green, carbon-free electricity, leading the way in sustainability - so you can say that by buying their products, you are supporting renewable energy sources yourself.
