Kamil Perry
Pierogies are a traditional Polish dumpling consisting of dough stuffed with a savoury or sweet filling. They are a popular comfort food and can be made with a variety of fillings, including cheese, potato, and meat. This paragraph will provide an introduction to cooking cheese pierogies, a delicious and comforting dish that can be made in a variety of ways.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough ingredients | Flour, egg, salt, sour cream, oil, water |
| Filling ingredients | Potato, cheese, butter, caramelized onions, egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, feta, thyme, rosemary, cayenne pepper, paprika |
| Cooking method | Boil in water, pan-fry in butter, bake in oven |
| Serving suggestions | Sour cream, chives, bacon bits, applesauce, buttered onions |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Making the dough
To make the dough by hand, start by whisking the flour and salt together. Then, use a rubber spatula to incorporate the egg, yolk, oil, and water until a shaggy dough forms. Knead the dough briefly to bring it together into a soft, elastic dough. Allow the dough to rest for at least 10 minutes once fully kneaded.
If you prefer to use a stand mixer, simply add the liquid ingredients to the flour and salt, and mix until a dough forms. Then, proceed to knead the dough by hand for a few minutes until it becomes soft and elastic.
Once the dough is made, it can be used right away, but it is recommended to let it rest for at least an hour at room temperature. This will make it easier to roll out and work with. The dough can also be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for up to a month. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag.
Delicious Cheesy Nachos: Oven-Baked Perfection
You may want to see also
Making the filling
Then, add cheese to the mashed potatoes. Cheddar, cottage cheese, feta, farmer's cheese, and cream cheese are all popular options. For a more savoury filling, you can add ingredients like caramelized onions, minced onion, salt, pepper, dill, thyme, rosemary, and cayenne pepper. If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can add sugar and cinnamon. You can also add egg yolks to your filling, though one source suggests that you should whisk the eggs with sour cream and milk before adding them to the mixture.
Once you've added all your desired ingredients, stir the filling until it is well combined. If you plan to fill your pierogies right away, let the filling cool slightly before using it. Otherwise, you can cover the filling and refrigerate it for up to two days.
Spinach Cheese Ravioli: A Tasty, Easy-to-Make Dish
You may want to see also
Assembling the pierogies
Once the circles are cut out, it's time to add the filling. Place a teaspoon of filling in the centre of each circle. For a potato and cheese filling, cook potatoes in salted water until tender, then drain and mash with warm milk and butter. Stir in the cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add caramelized onions to the mixture.
After adding the filling, it's important to seal the pierogi. Brush the edges of the dough with water, then fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press down on the edges to seal the filling inside, removing any air pockets. At this point, the pierogi can be frozen for cooking at a later date, or cooked immediately.
Macaroni Cheese: Homemade, Hearty, Cheesy Comfort
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Boiling the pierogies
Boiling pierogies is a straightforward process. First, fill a large pot with water and set it to boil on the stove. When the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and add a splash of oil and a pinch of salt. The oil will prevent the pierogies from sticking to the pot.
Next, carefully drop the pierogies into the boiling water. It is important to avoid overcrowding the pot, so add the pierogies in batches of 7-10 at a time. Stir them gently and let them float. When the pierogies float to the top, let them sit for about 2-3 minutes. This indicates that they are fully cooked.
Once the pierogies are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a colander to drain the excess water. If you plan to serve the pierogies immediately, spread them out on a large surface to cool, ensuring they are not touching.
You can also boil pierogies straight from frozen. Simply add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and watch for them to float to the top.
Cheesy Ground Beef Delights: Easy Dinner Ideas
You may want to see also
Pan-frying the pierogies
Pierogies are traditionally cooked using a two-step process. First, they are boiled, and then they are pan-fried. To pan-fry your pierogies, start by melting some butter in a pan. You can also add some onions to the butter for extra flavour. Next, transfer the boiled pierogies to the pan. Fry them for about 2 minutes on each side, or longer if you want them more browned. Continue frying in batches until all your pierogies are golden brown. You can also add some bacon bits to the pan for a savoury twist.
If you prefer deep-fried pierogies, heat some oil in a pot to 375°F. Fry the boiled pierogies in batches of 4 to 6 until they are golden brown and crispy, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the fried pierogies to a paper towel-lined tray to absorb any excess oil.
Serve your pierogies immediately with a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, applesauce, rosemary butter sauce, or caramelized onions. Enjoy!
Cheese Baked Pasta: The Ultimate Comfort Food
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The dough is made with a combination of flour, egg, salt, and sour cream. You can also add oil and water to the mixture. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circles.
You can fill cheese pierogies with farmer's cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese, or cream cheese. You can also add ingredients like sugar, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and dill to the cheese mixture.
Cheese pierogies are typically cooked using a two-step process. First, boil the pierogies in salted water until they float to the top. Then, pan-fry them in butter with onions until golden brown.
Yes, you can freeze cheese pierogies. Place the uncooked pierogies on a floured baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag for storage. You can cook the pierogies directly from frozen.
