Pierogi are delicious Polish dumplings that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as potatoes, cheese, meat, or fruit. Here’s a basic recipe for making pierogi:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Filling (Potato & Cheese):

  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (or farmer’s cheese)
  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

For Serving:

  • Butter for frying
  • Sour cream for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, sour cream, and softened butter together until smooth.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, and mix until a soft dough forms.
  • Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes).
  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Filling:

  • Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes and mash them until smooth.
  • Add the cottage cheese (and cheddar cheese, if using), melted butter, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes, and mix until well combined.

3. Assemble the Pierogi:

  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/8-inch thick.
  • Use a round cookie cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut circles from the dough.
  • Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle.
  • Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, and press the edges together firmly to seal.
  • Use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative look.

4. Cook the Pierogi:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Carefully add the pierogi, a few at a time, and cook until they float to the surface (about 3-5 minutes).
  • Remove the pierogi with a slotted spoon and let them drain.

5. (Optional) Fry the Pierogi:

  • In a skillet, melt some butter over medium heat.
  • Fry the boiled pierogi until they are golden and crispy on both sides.

6. Serve:

  • Serve the pierogi with a dollop of sour cream, or sautéed onions for extra flavor.

Enjoy your homemade pierogi!

Image from Wikipedia