Polish Pierogie, my way.

We all know I wasn't born in Poland, I did not grow up eating this delicious tasty dumpling like treats! But I am blessed to have a true Polish husband, with family that knows how to cook. I have to thank my family in Poland for these, but I have added my own twist to it.

They are very addictive and super yummy, kids and grown ups usually love it, at least we all do.

Ingredients:

For the filling:
6 small potatoes, I like to buy organic they taste and look better
2 packs of farmer's cheese, found at Publix, your local grocery store or local european store
salt and pepper to taste

For the dough:
2 3/4 cups of flour
1 egg
1 cup of warm water, NOT HOT!
pinch of salt



Let's start with the filling.
Peel and chop your potatoes

Bring them to a boil until tender and ready to mash!  Make sure you season your water with salt.

Drain and mash potatoes until clear of any lumps. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Wait until the potatoes cool down a little, then get your cheese ready. This is what I use.

Add your cheese to the potatoes.

Mix until its all well incorporated. Add a little more salt and pepper.

That's it. At this point you have the option of adding onions as well, my husband dislikes onions so what I do is I cook them and top the pierogi on my plate with onions, but if your family will enjoy them chop them, cook them, cool them, and add them to the mix.

Set aside.

For the dough.
On your working surface or a bowl place the flour. Make a crown in the middle.

Add your egg.

Add your water gently, little by little until your dough is well incorporated but not liquid!

Start mixing, if it looks like this, add more water.

Once its well incorporated bring your dough to a working surface that has been previously dusted with flour. Work your dough.

You may have to add more flour as you go, this dough is very sticky, it should be very soft to the touch and feel warm, but it shouldnt be so sticky that is all over your hands.
When you place your fingers it should be very very soft.

I divide my dough in half, add more flour and start rolling your dough to about 1/4 of an inch, not too thin or it will breake!

With a round cookie cutter I form my circles to be filled.

Now take one circle and place it in the palm of your hand, add some filling.

Fold circle in half, like a half moon.

Add pressure and close the edges of your half moon.

If your dough won't stick when you close it I found that dusting your fingertips with flour will help the sealing process. Make sure no holes are present or your filling will come out when it cooks.
Place your pierogie on  a dusted plate, pan, anything as you make them.

Now add 6-8 pierogie at a time in a pot with boiling water (make sure you add salt to your water!). Cook pierogi on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, until they all come up, make sure you do leave them at least 4 minutes so your dough gets a chance to cook, taste them as you go, you might have to cook them for an additional minute, depending on the thickness of your dough. The water looks dirty here from the flour that came off the pierogi when added in the pot.

Before you take them out, make sure you have a dish ready with some butter so they won't stick, pierogi will be VERY sticky if you don't add butter.

Now remove pierogi. Drain all water from each pierogi before adding to your dish.

At his point I serve them to my kids, out of the pot, with nothing on it, just some butter, you will have to continuously add butter so they don't stick, just a little.
If you prefer your pierogi fried you can heat some butter in a non stick pan. Add your pierogi.

Cook for about 4 minutes on medium heat or until golden brown, flip over and cook some more.

I want onions on mine so I cooked onions in a pan that has been pre heated with olive oil.

Mmmmm smells good :) Serve hot, top off with onions, if you want add fresh parsley, some people love sour cream, I don't, we eat them straight out of the pot or the pan, no side dishes, but if you prefer you can add a fresh salad, or meat or anything you are craving!

I hope you enjoy these!

L.O.V.E
Delfi