Best Pierogi Recipe Martha Stewarts Moms Food

BASIC PIEROGI

Steps:

• Make the dough: Whisk together egg and sour cream. Whisk in milk and water. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time.
• Turn out dough onto a floured surface. (Dough will be loose and sticky.) Using a bench scraper, turn and fold dough to knead, dusting with flour as needed, until elastic and no longer sticky, 8 to 10 minutes. (Dough will come together as you knead it. Be careful not to add too much flour, since it will toughen the dough.) Cover with an inverted bowl; let rest for 1 hour.
• Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a clean linen towel, and dust generouslywith cornmeal to prevent sticking.
• Roll out 1 piece of dough on a lightly floured surface into a 1/8-inch-thick round (keep other pieces covered).
• Cut out circles very close together, using a 3-inch cutter or glass (5 inches for the plum version). Cover with plasticwrap to prevent dough from drying. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Fill pierogi: Place filling in center of each dough circle. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Holding 1 circle in your hand, fold dough over filling. Pinch edges, forming a well-sealed crescent.
• Transfer to cornmeal-dusted towel, and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough circles and filling. Working in batches, transfer pierogi to boiling water. They will sink to the bottom and then rise. Once they have risen, cook through, about 2 minutes more (or up to 4 minutes for plum pierogi, depending on ripeness). For savory pierogi, coat a platter with half the butter. Transfer pierogi to platter using a slotted spoon. Drizzle tops with remaining butter, and season with salt. For sweet pierogi, transfer to a platter using a slotted spoon, and dot with sour cream.

PIEROGI

Steps:

• Make the dough: Whisk together flour and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in center, and add egg and milk. Using your hands, gently draw flour mixture into egg mixture. Continue to work dough with your hands or a spoon until it comes together to form a ball. (Add up to 2 teaspoons milk if dough is crumbly.) Place dough on a lightly floured work surface, and knead until smooth and slightly elastic, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a clean surface, and cover with an inverted bowl or wrap in plastic. Let dough rest for 1 hour.
• Make the onions: Melt butter with the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, and season with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove a heaping 1/4 cup onion mixture, and finely chop; reserve for filling.
• Make the filling: Place potatoes in a saucepan, and cover with water by about 2 inches. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until tender, 17 to 20 minutes. Drain, and immediately return to pan. Place on stove (with burner off), and let dry for 10 minutes. Pass through a ricer or a food mill into a large bowl. Stir in stock, reserved chopped onions, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Make the dumplings: On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to a scant 1/8 inch thick. Cut out rounds with a 2 3/4-inch cutter. Place on a baking sheet, and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
• Place 1 dough round on a work surface. Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon filling onto center of bottom half of round. Fold top half down over filling, gently pressing to squeeze out any air and seal. Stretch edges outward slightly to make them thinner. Return to baking sheet, and cover. Repeat. (Pierogi can be refrigerated overnight; wrap towel-covered baking sheet tightly with plastic.)
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 dumplings. Cook, stirring gently and occasionally, until dumplings rise to the surface, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, and gently pat dry. Transfer to a warmed serving platter, and cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining dumplings.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the reserved caramelized onions, and heat until warmed. Spoon over dumplings, and serve immediately with sour cream and applesauce.

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.

PIEROGI WITH POTATO FILLING AND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Make potato filling: Place potatoes in a large pot, and cover with cold water. Season with salt. Bring to a boil; cook until fork-tender, 8 to 9 minutes. Drain; pass through a ricer. Stir in cream cheese and butter. Season with salt and pepper. For each pierogi, form filling into a 1 1/2-inch oval (about 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons).
• Make Brown Butter: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until dark golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 1 cup.