Potato Cheese Pierogies With Bacon Food

HOMEMADE POTATO AND CHEESE PIEROGIES / OLD FASHIONED PEROGIES

Steps:

• Potato and Cheese Filling: Cook the onion in butter until tender.
• Combine it with potatoes and cheese.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Vary the proportions and ingredients in this recipe to suit your taste.
• Mix the flour with the salt in a deep bowl.
• Add the egg, oil and water to make a medium soft dough.
• Knead on a floured board until the dough is smooth.
• Caution: Too much kneading will toughen the dough.
• Divide the dough into 2 parts.
• Cover and let stand for at least 10 minutes.
• Prepare the filling.
• The filling should be thick enough to hold its shape.
• Roll the dough quite thin on a floured board.
• Cut rounds with a large biscuit cutter, or as most old-world grandmothers did, with the open end of a glass.
• Put the round in the palm of your hand.
• Place a spoonful of filling in it, fold over to form a half circle and press the edges together with the fingers.
• The edges should be free of filling.
• Be sure the edges are sealed well to prevent the filling from running out.
• Place the pierogi on a floured board or tea towel and then cover with another tea towel to prevent them from drying out.
• COOKING: Drop a few pierogies into a large quantity of rapidly boiling salted water.
• Do not attempt to cook too many at a time.
• Stir VERY gently with a wooden spoon to separate them and to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Continue boiling for 3-4 minutes.
• The cooling period will depend upon the size you made it, the thickness of the dough and the filling.
• Pierogies will be ready when they are puffed.
• Remove them with a perforated spoon or skimmer to a colander and drain thoroughly.
• Place in a deep dish, sprinkle generously with melted butter to prevent them from sticking.
• Cover and keep them hot until all are cooked.
• Serve in a large dish without piling or crowding them.
• Top with melted butter- chopped crisp bacon and/or chopped onions lightly browned in butter.
• REHEATING: One of the great things about perogies, is that they can be made in large quantities, refrigerated, frozen and reheated without loss of quality.
• Many prefer reheated perogies as compared to freshly boiled ones.
• To re-heat, you can: 1) pan fry pierogies in butter or bacon fat until they are light in color or, 2) heat the pierogies in the top of a double boiler or in the oven until they are hot and plump or, 3) deep fry them.

POTATO AND CHEESE PIEROGI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain.
• Combine flour, eggs and salt. Mix in a little water at a time until dough is somewhat stiff. Roll dough in small sections about 1/4 inch thick. Using a large biscuit cutter or drinking glass, make circle cuts.
• To make filling: Mix together potatoes, cheese, salt, pepper and onion salt. Fill each with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture, fold over and seal edges. To cook, bring a large pot of water to boil, carefully dropping in one at a time; stir once. They are done when they float to the top.

POTATO-CHEESE PIEROGIES WITH BACON

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a small saucepan over medium-low heat to render slowly, stirring occasionally. When the bacon is cooked and browned but not yet crisp, turn off the heat; let the bacon sit in its fat.
• Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, and add cold water to cover and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring them to boil over high heat, then lower heat to a simmer for 25 minutes, or until the potatoes break apart easily but are not falling apart. Drain the potatoes, and place them back in the pot. Add the cheese, and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Taste, and season with salt if necessary.
• While the potatoes cook, beat the egg and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt together with a fork in a large mixing bowl. Let rest for a few minutes, then beat in the milk. Add the flour in thirds, stirring well, until you have a sticky, shaggy dough.
• Flour your board with 1/2 cup flour, spread it in an 18-inch circle and turn the dough out into the flour. Lightly knead the dough, rolling it in flour as necessary, until it is mostly smooth (a little lumpiness is O.K.) and well floured, about 5 minutes. Pat it into a 1-inch-thick disc, cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out 1/8-inch-thick. (If you like a more delicate wrapper, roll it a little thinner.) Punch out wrappers with a 2 1/2-inch-round cookie cutter.
• Hold a wrapper in one hand, and place 1 to 1 1/4 tablespoons potato filling in it, pressing on the filling slightly to spread it nearly to the edge of the wrapper. Bring the edges of the wrapper up, as if folding a taco, and pinch one end closed. Stabilize the pierogi on the outstretched fingers of one hand. Use your other hand to pinch around the pierogi's top to seal the dumpling into a half moon, pinching the wrapper snugly against the filling to prevent any air pockets from forming. Use the thumb of the stabilizing hand to block the filling from squishing out as you pinch. (If you have air pockets, they may cause the pierogi to explode while boiling.) Place finished pierogies on a lightly floured surface. Any leftover dough may be reserved for another use in the refrigerator, or cut and boiled as rustic noodles.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Gently reheat the bacon. Carefully add the pierogies to the water, and cook until they all float, then cook 1 minute more. Drain, and serve garnished with bacon and slicked with bacon fat.

HOMEMADE POTATO AND CHEESE PIEROGIES

Steps:

• Make the Pierogi Dough: Pulse the flour and salt together in a food processor until combined, about 4 pulses. With the machine running, slowly add the whole egg, egg yolk, and oil through the feed tube until the mixture resembles wet sand, about 30 seconds. With the machine running, slowly add 4 tablespoons of the water until the dough forms a ball. If the dough doesn't ball up, add the remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, with the processor running until a dough ball forms (you may not use all the water).
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead by hand until it firms slightly and becomes smooth, about 2 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to relax for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
• Make the Caramelized Onions: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and salt and cook until very soft and well browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Measure out ¼ cup of the onions, chop them fine, and reserve them for the filling. Cover the caramelized onions to keep warm.
• Make the Potato and Cheese Filling: Cover the potatoes by 1 inch of water in a large saucepan and add 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender and a fork can be slipped easily into the center, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the potatoes into a colander.
• Set a food mill or ricer over a medium bowl and process the potatoes into the bowl. Add the caramelized onions. Stir in the cheeses and butter until incorporated and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cool slightly before filling the pierogi or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed, up to 2 days.
• Assemble the Pierogi: Dust a baking sheet liberally with flour; set aside. Divide the dough into 2 even pieces and cover with plastic wrap. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, unwrap the dough and roll out on a lightly floured work surface into a 15-inch circle, about 1/16-inch thick. Using a 3-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out as many rounds as possible. Carefully gather up the dough scraps, wrap them in plastic wrap, and set aside.
• Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of each dough round and moisten the edge of the dough round with water, using either your finger or a pastry brush. Fold the dough in half over the filling, making a half-moon shape. Pinch the seam along the edge to secure. Crimp the seam using the tines of a fork. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and cover with a damp kitchen towel. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Gently knead all of the dough scraps together into a ball and let relax for 5 to 10 minutes. Roll out, cut, and assemble additional pierogi, discarding any remaining dough scraps. [MAKE-AHEAD NOTE: The towel-covered baking sheet of pierogi can be wrapped with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 4 hours. The pierogi can also be frozen for up to 1 month; once completely frozen, the pierogi can be transferred to a zipper-lock bag. Do not thaw before boiling.]
• Cook the Pierogi: Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and half the pierogi. Cook, stirring often, until the edges feel al dente, 5 to 6 minutes (8 to 10 minutes if frozen). Using a wire spider or slotted spoon, transfer the pierogi to a colander and set aside. Return the water to a boil and cook the remaining pierogi.
• While the second batch of pierogi is boiling, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the first batch of boiled and drained pierogi and sauté until golden on both sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the browned pierogi to a platter and cover to keep warm. Drain and sauté the remaining pierogi using the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle the caramelized onions over the top and serve with sour cream.

PIEROGI RUSKIE: POTATO-CHEESE PIEROGI

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Parboil the potatoes in a large saucepan by covering them with cold water and adding 1 tablespoon of salt.
• Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain and let cool slightly.
• While the potatoes are parboiling, place the butter in a small pan, add the onion, and sauté over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Peel the cooked potatoes, place them in a large bowl, and mash them with a fork or potato ricer .
• Add the sautéed onion and farmer cheese to the potatoes and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Place 2 cups of flour in a large bowl or on a work surface and make a well in the center.
• Break the egg into it, then add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of lukewarm water, a little at a time.
• Bring the dough together, kneading well and adding the remaining flour or water as needed to form a smooth dough ball.
• Divide the dough in half and cover it with a bowl or towel. Let it rest 20 minutes.
• Assemble the pierogi on a floured work surface by rolling out the dough to 1/8 inch in thickness. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter or drinking glass, make small circles.
• Spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons of the filling onto the middle of each circle.
• Fold the dough in half to form a half-circle shape and then firmly pinch the edges together.
• Sprinkle a baking sheet with flour and place the filled pierogi on it in a single layer. Keep the formed pierogi under a clean kitchen towel to stop them from drying.
• Gather scraps, reroll, and fill until you've used all of the first half of the dough. Repeat the process with the remaining half of dough.
• Cook the pierogi by bringing a large, low saucepan of salted water to a rapid boil. Depending on the size of your pot, drop in about 6 to 10 pierogi at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Return the water to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. When the pierogi rise to the surface, continue to simmer a few more minutes. It should take around 5 to 6 minutes for the pierogi to be cooked.
• With a slotted spoon taste one, and if done, remove the remaining pierogi to a platter greased with some of the butter for serving. This will prevent the pierogi from sticking to each other.
• Serve warm with caramelized onions , skwarki, or crispy bits of bacon and a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy.

POTATO AND JALAPENO PEPPER PIEROGIES

Steps:

• To make Pierogie Dough: Combine all ingredients and mix well. Knead dough on flat surface for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Let dough rest for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight; the dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Roll out dough into a thin sheet, approximately 1/4-inch thick. Then cut in circles: 2 inches for small pierogies and 3 1/2 inches for large pierogies. Fill circles with desired filling. Pinch the edges well and cook them in rapidly boiling water for approximately 10 minutes. Drain and serve immediately with butter. If you decide to store them, dip them in cold water, drain, and let them cool on a cookie sheet. When completely cool, store them in refrigerator.
• To make Jalapeno Filling: Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Add salt, bring to a boil over high heat, and cook until potatoes are soft. When potatoes are done, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft; you can continue cooking until onions are caramelized if you so desire. Drain the potatoes and mash them. Add the cooked onion and jalapeno and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue mashing until blended. Let filling cool. Use 1 tablespoon of filling to fill the circles of dough as directed above.

POTATO, MUSHROOM, ONION & CHEESE PIEROGIES & ..........

Steps:

• Dough:.
• Mix the 4 eggs, butter or margarine, sour cream and salt together in a bowl with whisk.
• Sift the flour onto a flat work surface and make a well in the center, pour the wet ingredients into the crater.
• Stir the mixture with a fork, gradually incorporating the flour into the well until a soft dough forms.
• Squeeze the dough with your hands, if it's sticky, add a bit of flour, if it's not pliable, add a couple of drops of water.
• Knead the dough, adding only as much additional flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking, until it is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Gather the dough into a ball and cover it with an inverted bowl or plastic wrap for 10 minutes or so to rest.
• Filling:.
• Cook the potato cubes in boiling salted water until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
• Drain and then mash them with a ricer or regular "old" potato masher while they are still hot; set them aside to cool while you prepare the rest of the filling.
• Melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter or margarine in large skillet over medium-low heat.
• Add the onions, mushrooms and thyme, saute for a few minutes to soften the vegetables; season with salt and pepper.
• Continue to cook until the vegetables are broken dry and almost dry, then pour in cream & cheese; stir to incorporate.
• Remove the pan from the heat; take out sprigs of thyme, and scrape the mushroom & cheese mixture into the potatoes, mix well to incorporate the ingredients.
• Make sure the filling is not too hot or it will start to cook the dough, causing it to sog.
• Lightly flour your rolling pin and counter.
• Take 1/2 of the dough(leaving the rest covered so it doesn't dry out while you work) and roll it out into a thin circle, about 1/8" thick.
• Using a 3" round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut circles out of the dough.
• Spoon 1 tablespoon of the filling into the center of each pastry circle, leaving a 1/2" border.
• Beat the remaining egg with 2 tablespoons water to make an egg wash and brush it on the edges of the circle.
• Fold the dough over 1/2 to enclose the filling and form a semi-circle and seal the edges by crimping with the tines of a fork.
• Lightly tap the bottoms of the dumpling on the counter to make it flat.
• Repeat with the remaining half of dough and filling.
• You should make about 35 pierogies; put 1/2 of them in the freezer to keep on hand (they are better than the ones you find in the freezer section of the grocery store.).
• Coat a large saute pan (that has a tight fitting lid) with vegetable oil and place over medium heat.
• Lay the pierogies in the pan (you may have to do this in batches) and fry them for a couple of minutes until they start to crisp and brown on both sides.
• Pour in 1 cup of water and cover the pan to let the pierogies steam; when the water evaporates, the pierogies should be cooked and crisp.
• Arrange the pierogies on a platter, garnish with parsley and serve with roasted apples, sour cream, butter with caramelized onions, and/or any of the following:.
• Roasted apples:.
• 3 Gala apples, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped.
• 3 Golden Delicious, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped.
• 1 lemon juiced.
• 2 cinnamon sticks.
• 1/4 cup brown sugar or brown sugar "splenda".
• Pinch of salt.
• 2 Tablespoons butter.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Spread the apples out in a casserole pan and add the lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar or splenda, salt and butter.
• Bake until the apples are roasted and "NOT" mushy, about 20 minutes.
• Serve the apples with peirogies, either hot or chilled.
• Caramelized Onions & Sour Cream:.
• 4-5 large onions, sliced thin.
• 3-4 tablespoons butter or margarine.
• 1-2 teaspoons sugar, to caramelize - no subs.
• Sour cream, to serve on the side.
• Melt butter in large saute pan and then add onions & sugar; saute for about 15 minutes or until onions are soft and a nice golden color.
• Serve onions with pierogies and sour cream, as little or all you want.
• "Maple" Cured Bacon & Melted Butter:
• 1/2 lb of "maple" cured bacon or turkey bacon.
• 4-5 tablespoons butter.
• Parsley, chopped fine - garnish.
• Saute bacon in frying pan or microwave oven.
• When crispy and drained; crumble into little pieces.
• Melt butter in a saucepan or in microwave oven, before it turns brown, remove and sprinkle with parsley.
• Sprinkle melted butter with parsley and bacon on hot pierogies.
• Melted Butter & Green Onions:.
• 4-5 tablespoons butter
• 1-2 green onions, chopped fine (green & white parts).
• Melt butter in saucepan or microwave, remove before it browns.
• Sprinkle with green onions and spread it over the warm pierogies.
• Use any and all combinations with these.
• There are too many variations for me to list but I have listed a few that my family enjoys. Hope you do too!

BACON PIEROGI BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange the pierogies in a lightly greased, 9x9 inch baking dish.
• In a medium skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
• Add garlic to drippings in pan and cook for 30 seconds. Add cream cheese to pan and cook until cream cheese begins to melt, stirring frequently.
• Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over pierogies. Bake for 15 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
• Remove from oven and top with cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Top with cooked bacon, green onions and tomato before serving.

PIEROGIES WITH POTATO AND CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Mix flour, water, and egg and salt together. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Cover dough with bowl and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Boil potatoes until soft. Drain and rinse. Add cheese. Let stand a few minutes until cheese melts. Then fold potatoes and cheese together.
• Roll out dough about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 3-inch squares. Fill each square of dough with one teaspoon of potato and cheese filling. Fold in half and pinch ends together to seal. Drop in hot boiling water and simmer for 8 minutes. Drain and fry in butter a few minutes until heated through. Chopped onions may be added to the butter, if desired. Salt and pepper, to taste.