The Perfect Cheese Perogies: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to cook cheese perogies

Pierogies are a traditional Polish dumpling consisting of dough stuffed with a savoury or sweet filling. This paragraph will focus on how to cook cheese pierogies, a comforting and delicious dish. The first step is to make the dough, which typically includes flour, egg, salt, and sour cream or Greek yogurt. The dough is then rolled out and filled with cheese, before being boiled and pan-fried to create a golden crust.

How to cook cheese perogies

Characteristics Values
Dough ingredients Flour, egg, yolk, oil, water, salt, sour cream, Greek yogurt
Filling ingredients Potato, cheese, butter, milk, caramelized onions, egg yolks, salt, sugar, cinnamon, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, feta, thyme, rosemary, cayenne pepper, paprika
Cooking method Boil in water, pan-fry in butter, deep-fry
Serving suggestions Sour cream, chives, bacon bits, applesauce, buttered onions, sugar
Storage Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week, freeze for later use

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How to make the dough

To make the dough for cheese perogies, you will need flour, eggs, sour cream, milk, and salt. Some recipes also call for oil and water.

First, whisk the flour and salt together. Then, use a rubber spatula to incorporate the egg, yolk, oil, and water until a shaggy dough forms. You can also use a standing mixer for this step. Next, knead the dough briefly to bring it together into a soft dough. If you are making a large batch, you can use a standing mixer with a dough hook attachment to mix and knead the dough.

Once the dough is kneaded, let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the dough to become elastic and easier to roll out. After the dough has rested, roll it out on a well-floured surface to about 1/8 inch or 2 millimeters in thickness. You can use a rolling pin or a floured wine bottle to roll out the dough.

Now you are ready to cut out the perogi circles. You can use a cookie cutter, a biscuit cutter, or a floured glass cup to cut out circles that are about 3 inches in diameter. Be sure to keep the dough covered as you work to prevent it from drying out.

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How to make the filling

To make the filling for cheese pierogies, you'll need to start with potatoes. Cover the potatoes by 1 inch of water in a large saucepan and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, which should take around 10 to 12 minutes. You can check this by seeing if you can pierce them easily with a fork. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash them with some warm milk and butter.

Next, you'll want to add cheese. Classic pierogies are made with farmer's cheese, but you can also use cottage cheese, feta, cheddar, or a combination of firm, tangy cream cheese with extra-sharp white cheddar. You can also add some caramelized onions to the filling. If you're making Polish pierogies, add egg yolks, salt, sugar, and cinnamon to the cheese and process the mixture until it's smooth. If you're making savoury pierogies, you can add some minced onion, salt, pepper, and dill to the cheese mixture.

Once your filling is ready, you can start assembling your pierogies. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circles using a cookie cutter or a glass. Spoon the filling into the centre of each circle, then fold the dough over and seal the edges by pinching them together.

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Boiling the perogies

To cook cheese perogies, you can use the two-step process of first boiling and then pan-frying.

Start by filling a large pot with water and bringing it to a boil. You can add a pinch of salt to the water. When the water is boiling, turn down the heat to low and add a splash of oil to prevent the perogies from sticking.

Next, carefully drop the perogies into the boiling water. It is best to add them in small batches of 7-10 perogies at a time to avoid overcrowding the pot and stickiness. Gently stir the perogies so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot.

Let the perogies cook until they float to the top of the water. This indicates that they are fully cooked. Once they float, let them sit in the water for an additional 2-3 minutes. Then, use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked perogies to a colander to drain the water.

At this point, your perogies are ready to be pan-fried or served with your choice of toppings. However, if you plan to freeze the perogies, it is best to spread them out on a large surface to cool completely before freezing.

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Pan-frying the perogies

To pan-fry your cheese perogies, start by boiling them in a large pot of salted water. You'll know they're cooked when they float to the top. You can then transfer them to a colander to drain. Next, heat some butter or oil in a frying pan. You can also add some chopped onions to the pan at this stage if you like. Once the butter has melted or the oil is hot, add your perogies and fry until golden brown. This should take around 3-5 minutes. You can then serve your perogies with a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, chives, caramelized onions, or bacon bits.

Pan-frying is a great way to cook your perogies, as it gives them a delicious golden crust. It's also a good method for cooking leftover perogies, as it gives them a fresh, crispy texture. You can also add different ingredients to the pan to mix up your perogies and create new flavors.

If you want to add some extra cheese to your perogies, you can sprinkle grated cheese over them while they're frying. This will create a tasty, melted cheese topping. You could also try deep-frying your perogies for an even crispier texture. Simply heat oil in a deep pot to 375°F and fry the perogies in batches for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown.

For an extra indulgent touch, you can also create a rosemary butter sauce to accompany your fried cheese perogies. This sauce is the perfect way to elevate your perogies and make them even more comforting and delicious. Simply melt some butter and mix in some fresh or dried rosemary, then drizzle it over your perogies before serving.

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Serving suggestions

Perogies are a classic comfort food and can be served in a variety of ways. They are often stuffed with mashed potatoes, fried onions, sauerkraut, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, and cheese. They can be boiled, baked, fried, or even served as nachos.

  • Sour cream is perhaps the most traditional accompaniment to perogies. You can also serve them with a dollop of sour cream and chives.
  • Caramelized onions are a must-have with perogies. They add a wonderful texture and a deeply sweet and umami flavor.
  • Dill is perhaps the most traditional herb served with perogies. You can also use other herbs such as parsley, chives, basil, and tarragon.
  • Perogies naturally pair well with something green on the side. Grilled asparagus spears wrapped in foil with lemon and olive oil is a great option. Any leafy greens like spinach, chard, or mustard greens sautéed in olive oil and garlic also make a perfect side dish.
  • Perogies can be served with a variety of vegetables such as roasted root vegetables (carrots, squash, and beets), cabbage, or mushrooms.
  • For a heartier meal, perogies can be served with meat such as Polish smoked sausage, chicken (baked, with cream of chicken soup, or in a salad), stuffed salmon, or braising steak.
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Frequently asked questions

The best way to cook cheese perogies is to first boil them in water until they float to the top, then drain and pan-fry them in butter.

You will need flour, eggs, salt, oil, water, potatoes, cheese, butter, and milk. You can use different types of cheese, such as farmer's cheese, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, or cream cheese.

To make the dough, whisk together the flour and salt, then use a rubber spatula to incorporate the egg, yolk, oil, and water until a shaggy dough forms. Knead the dough briefly until it becomes soft.

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