Pierogi Leniwe Polish Lazy Dumplings Recipes

PIEROGI LENIWE (POLISH LAZY DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl mash the cheese with a fork. Stir in the eggs, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the flour, all at once.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured board and divide it into 4 pieces. Roll each piece out into a rectangle 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. Cut each piece on the diagonal into about 10 pieces.
• Bring 10 quarts of water to a boil and add the remaining teaspoon salt. Reduce the water to a lightly rolling simmer and add 1/3 of the dumplings to the pot. Simmer, uncovered, until they float to the top.
• Remove them with slotted spoon and drain. Continue until all dumplings are cooked.
• Serve with a garnish of buttered toasted bread crumbs.

PIEROGI LENIWE (LAZY POLISH RAVIOLI) (SWEET CHEESE VERSION)

Steps:

• Use a spoon to push the cheese through a fine sieve into a deep bowl.
• Beat in the eggs, then the sugar and the butter.
• Sift the flour over the cheese mixture and stir until the flour is completely absorbed.
• Knead like bread to mix well.
• Divide the dough into 3 equal parts and roll each between your palms to shape it into a ball, then, on a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 12" long cylinder (1" in diameter).
• Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm (30 minutes).
• Flatten the cylinder slightly and cut them crosswise into 2-inch rounds.
• In a 3-4 quart saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil over high heat.
• Drop 6 pierogi into the water and stir occasionally so they don't stick to each other or the pan.
• Immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer until they float to the surface (5 minutes).
• With a slotted spoon, transfer the dumplings to a kitchen towel to drain.
• Cover them loosely with another towel to keep them warm, while you cook the remaining pierogi in the same way.
• In an 8-inch skillet, melt the butter, but don't let it brown.
• Add the bread crumbs, stirring constantly, until they are crisp and golden brown, then remove from heat.
• Pour the bread crumbs and butter over the dumplings and serve.

PIEROGI (TRADITIONAL POLISH DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Pass farmer's cheese and cooked potatoes separately through a food grinder or food processor.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook mushrooms and onions until soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Combine farmer's cheese, potatoes, mushroom mixture, sour cream, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix together and set filling aside.
• Place flour on a clean work surface and make a well in the center. Crack both eggs into the well. Add butter and a few tablespoons of the warm water. Mix with your hands, gradually adding more warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as you go. Knead well, continuing to add more water as needed. Knead until dough is soft and smooth, adding more flour to the work surface as needed.
• Cut off 1/4 of the dough and roll out to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut out circles using a glass or a round pastry cutter, saving the excess dough for your next batch.
• Fill each dough circle with 1 teaspoon of filling. Fold dough over into a half-moon shape and pinch edges together to seal. Cover with a clean dish towel so pierogi won't dry out and repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Add the pierogi in batches, about 20 at a time, and cook until they float to the surface, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain in a strainer. Repeat with the remaining pierogi.