Grandmas Polish Perogies Recipes

GRANDMA'S POLISH PEROGIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, sour cream, eggs, egg yolk and oil. Stir the wet ingredients into the flour until well blended. Cover the bowl with a towel, and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place potatoes into a pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and mash with shredded cheese and cheese sauce while still hot. Season with onion salt, salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
• Separate the perogie dough into two balls. Roll out one piece at a time on a lightly floured surface until it is thin enough to work with, but not too thin so that it tears. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter, perogie cutter, or a glass. Brush a little water around the edges of the circles, and spoon some filling into the center. Fold the circles over into half-circles, and press to seal the edges. Place perogies on a cookie sheet, and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to freezer storage bags or containers.
• To cook perogies: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Drop perogies in one at a time. They are done when they float to the top. Do not boil too long, or they will be soggy! Remove with a slotted spoon.

HOMEMADE POLISH PIEROGI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk eggs, water and salt until blended; gradually stir in flour. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead 10-12 times, forming a firm dough. Cover and let rest 10 minutes., For filling, in a small bowl, whisk egg, salt, sugar and pepper. Stir in cheese., Divide dough into 4 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion to 1/8-in. thickness; cut with a floured 4-in. round cookie cutter. Place 1 tablespoon filling in center of each circle. Moisten edges with water; fold in half and press edges to seal. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. , In a 6-qt. stockpot, bring water to a boil. Add pierogi in batches; reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook until pierogi float to the top and are tender, 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon., In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add pierogi in batches; cook until golden brown, 1-3 minutes on each side, adding additional butter as necessary. If desired, serve with sour cream and chives.

POTATO PIEROGI

Steps:

• Make the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk egg. Add sour cream, and whisk until smooth. Add milk and 1 cup water, and whisk until combined. Slowly add about 3 cups flour, and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
• Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and work in about 1 cup flour as you knead. Use a plastic scraper to lift dough as it will stick to the counter before flour is worked in. Continue kneading for 8 to 10 minutes, working in another 1/2 cup flour. The dough should be elastic in texture and no longer sticky. Be careful not to add too much flour, as this will toughen dough. Place dough in a lightly floured bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let rest while you prepare filling.
• Make the filling: Place potatoes in a large pot, and cover with cold water. Add salt. Place over high heat, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender. Drain and mash with a potato masher. Add 4 tablespoons melted butter and the cheeses, and continue to mash until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place a large pot of salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil. Lay a clean linen towel on your counter, and evenly distribute cornmeal on it to prevent sticking.
• On a floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Using a glass or cookie cutter measuring 2 1/2 inches in diameter, cut out as many circles as possible. Gather dough scraps together, rolling them out again, and continue cutting.
• Form filling into 1 1/2-inch balls, and place a ball in the center of each dough circle. Holding a circle in your hand, fold dough over filling, and pinch the edges, forming a well-sealed crescent. Transfer to linen towel. Continue this process until all dough circles are filled.
• Place pierogi in boiling water in batches. They will sink to the bottom of the pot and then rise to the top. Once they rise, let them cook for about a minute more. Meanwhile, drizzle platter with remaining 8 tablespoons melted butter. Remove pierogi from pot, and transfer to platter to prevent sticking. Serve immediately.

GRANDMA MARTICHIS' PIEROGI

Steps:

• Make the filling several hours or the day before and chill. This makes the filling firm and easier to handle when you go to fill the dough.
• For the filling:.
• Peel, cut, and boil potatoes in a large pot.
• Simmer onions in the butter until soft and cover while simmering, but DO NOT BROWN.
• When potatoes are done, place cheeses and onions over potatoes. Cover and let sit until cheeses are melted.
• Add seasonings and mix with a mixer on high speed. The filling should be thick and pasty, but not lumpy. Chill.
• For the dough:.
• Blend all ingredients except flour with a fork. Add flour and mix well. Dough should be a little sticky.
• Knead dough until springy, about 5-10 minutes. Roll into a thick oblong and cut in half. Shape each half into a flat, thick round and cover with a very damp cloth. Allow the dough to rest for 1 hour.
• Put a large pot of water on to boil.
• Roll out one round into a large circle 1/4" thick. Be careful not to let the edges or the middle get too thin and tear. Using a large can (about the size of your hand), cut out as many circles as you can. You should be able to get at least 12 circles.
• Remove leftover dough and use in another recipe, such as Chicken and Dumplings. Just roll out the dough and cut into strips for the Dumplings.
• To fill the circles, hold a circle in the palm of your hand and dab water around the edge of half the circle. This will seal the pierog when you close it. Fill with 1 heaping teaspoon of potato mixture and flatten slightly. Fold the circle over and pinch edges to seal. Flute the edges.
• Place the pierogi in the boiling water and cook until they float to the top, 5-10 minutes.
• If you'd like, you can eat the pierogi as is after they've boiled, but they are also good fried in a skillet with butter and a diced onion after boiling. Just fry long enough to lightly brown each side (but don't tell my grandma!).