24.12.10

Pierogi- Polish Dumplings- Easy And Good


Pierógi are a staple of Polish cuisine.  Originally considered a poor man's food these dumplings eventually became common in most Polish homes and festive traditions. 
They are made with dough filled with either potatoes and cheese, mushrooms, sauerkraut or meat.  
My grandmother also makes them with fresh strawberries and sugar.  

Traditionally on Christmas Eve Poles eat a plethora of pierogi and uszka -(which translate literally as 'little ears' and are made using wild mushrooms). 
I grew up eating these at every celebration- In University it was a tradition among my Polish and Ukrainian friends to have Pierogi Parties where we would eat hundreds of them.

To make classic pierogi I follow this traditional method passed down by my babcia's, mother and aunts:

The dough is made using water, egg and flour- this unleavened dough is then cut into circles using a glass-


Filling is added into the middle and folded over to create a half circle.  
Pressing down on the ends the dumplings are sealed. 



Once they are formed they are placed in a pot of boiling water with salt- 
They will all sink to the bottom of the pot- Once they are all floating they are ready to be taken out. 
(This process takes less than five minutes)



Once they are removed from the water give them a quick dunk in cold water then lightly grease them.
They are ready to eat now-
However: for amazing pierogi fry up a bit of onions, kielbasa and add the pierogi to the pan to brown! 
Most people love to eat these with sour cream- 

To make the dough:
3 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1 mixed egg (combine with water)
1 cup warm water- slowly mix in until you have a sticky dough consistency- 
let sit for 30 min then roll out and cut into circles using a standard drinking glass

To make the filling:
2 large potatoes (peeled, boiled and mashed)
2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
dash of cream or milk-
salt and pepper to taste

Basically just make mash potatoes and add the cheese when you mash them. 
This recipe yields about forty

Click to view how to make authentic Polish cabbage rolls- goabki

17 comments:

Laura Wynn said...

mm, these look so good!
ps, loving the new header :)

Bruce Barone said...

YUM!

Right now I am making Fig & Fennel bread.

sheba said...

love pierogis! but i grew up eating the frozen ones...so yummy! and love the hudson bay-esque shirt!

shopgirl said...

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Gabbi said...

You make it look easy! Must try... ♥

Bossy Betty said...

Yummy! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

shayndel said...

Yum!
Looks Delish.
Happy Holidays!!
xo

Rita said...

awww..mummy's little helpers;) how lovely! I love ruskie pierogi:D they are delicious! yumm! After cooking them I always put them on the frying pan with a little bit of oil and dried garlic as well as pinch of dried thyme. Then I make them brown-I recommend you to try my version too;)
hugs
Just

Unknown said...

do you think someone who's not great in the kitchen could make these easily? i am not known for my culinary talents! LOL

they look and sound delish!!!

Getrealmommy said...

I like the new look too! Those look yummy, but I am not up for cooking anything more than microwave pancakes these days!

Kristin H said...

Mmmm great! and you make it look so easy!

Have a happy NEW YEAR with your little cute Monkeys! Looking forward to a fabulous 2011!!

:) Kristin

and flowers pick themselves said...

i grew up eating pierogis, but haven't for a while. you're inspiring me to make my own!

xo Alison

Pat Tillett said...

A friend advised me to dip them in ranch dressing....It was good!
thanks for the recipe...

Signe said...

Oh this looks yummy!

Unknown said...

Hello Ren, I do like your new header. The dumplings sound delicious - I had many traveling through SE Asia,, I must try this recipe.

Interesting ottomans, very modern. My husband loves modern, I prefer a little more rustic.. All our homes are modern.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season, blessings for the New Year.
Jeanene

Lady Grey said...

These look so good! I am seriously CRAZY about pierogi's. A friend's mother once made us homemade ones and I've been hooked ever since. I really should try to do this myself!
oxo

Sparklee said...

This looks like a fun project to do with kids! I've never had homemade pierogis--I think it's time to try them!

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