Pierogi a Small Polish ravioli stuffed with a delicious mix of potatoes and sauerkraut. They are crispy and golden, and the stuffing full of flavors, you might as well say that with this recipe success is guaranteed during your next dinner with friends.Have you ever tried the pierogi? These little Polish dumplings are really delicious. I’ve had them before, bought in a store, or made by Polish friends, but finally decided to try making them myself and invite my close friends to taste them over a healthy dose of humor.
What is pierogi ?
Pierogi is a type of stuffed dumpling, the name derived from a root meaning “festivals”, it’s similar to the Russian pelmeni, or the Ukrainian varenyky (Vareniki ), mainly made with unleavened dough with savory or sweet filling. The most popular filling in Poland is made with a mix of mash potato, fresh cheese and sautéed onions; however, minced meats, spinach, mushrooms, cabbage or sauerkrauts are also commonly used. Hence, fresh berries, stone fruits or jams are used to make the dessert pierogi. Nowadays, pierogi have become more common in North America, especially in the Polish or Eastern European communities, with increasing market demand throughout the continent.
Traditional Fillings :
The most traditional fillings for pierogi include minced cooked meat, sauerkraut with mushrooms, seasonal fruits like blueberries and strawberries, buckwheat or millet, savory or sweet-savory curd cheese, and potato-onion-cheese (pierogi ruskie). Nowadays, spinach, seafood, and other « gourmet » pierogi are seen at Kraków’s Pierogi Festival held annually in August.
Pierogi dough can be as simple as a flour-egg-water combination or made with sour cream, cream cheese, potatoes, or be dairy- and egg-free.
HOMEMADE PIEROGI !!
Pierogi is a type of wonderful, delicious and tasty stuffed dumplingIngrédients
Dough Ingredients :
- 2 cups (241g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (113g) sour cream
- 4 tablespoons (57g) butter, room temperature
Filling Ingredients :
- 1 cup (227g) warm mashed potatoes
- 1 cup (113g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
To make the dough: Mix together the flour and salt. Add the egg to the flour and combine. The dough will be quite clumpy at this stage. Work in the sour cream and soft butter until the dough comes together in a slightly rough, slightly sticky ball. Using just your fingertips, knead and fold the dough without adding additional flour until the dough becomes less sticky but still quite moist. Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes, or up to 48 hours. To make the filling: Combine the warm mashed potato and cheese. Stir and mash until the cheese is melted and the filling is cool to the touch. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. To fill the pierogi: Roll half the dough 1/8" thick. Use a 2" round cutter to cut circles of dough. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Save the scraps; these can be snipped into small pieces and added to simmering soups. Place 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling on each round of dough. Gently fold the dough over, forming a pocket around the filling. Pinch the edges of the pierogi to seal, then seal again with the tines of a fork. At this point the pierogi can be frozen for up to 4 weeks, or refrigerated overnight, or cooked in a large stockpot of boiling salted water. Only cook about 10 pierogi at a time, so that they have room to float without sticking. When the pierogi float, they're done. The time will vary depending on if they're fresh or frozen. Sauté the shallots or onion in the butter in a large skillet until the onion begins to brown. Add the drained pierogi and cook until browned and crisped. Serve hot with additional sour cream, applesauce, or other condiments.Notes
Tips :
- If your filling is a bit watery due to the potatoes, add a tablespoon of flour to help thicken it up.
- Are pierogi a new dish for you? These savory filled dumplings were originally peasant fare native to Central and Eastern Europe, but they've overcome class boundaries and become popular among those from all walks of life. While homemade pierogi are an important part of Christmas Eve celebrations in many homes, they aren't limited to the holidays; most folks enjoy them all year long, and family gatherings just have to have pierogi to be complete. They’re also very popular at festivals: The annual Pierogi Festival in Kraków, Poland, typically serves 30,000 pierogi a day.
To save time, I make my filling the night before and remove it from fridge an hour before making the dough.
HOMEMADE PIEROGI !!
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