Best 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.

PEROGIES

Steps:

• To Make Dough: In a medium bowl combine the flour, salt, egg and water. Mix all together to form dough; cover bowl and set aside.
• To Make Potato Filling: Place potatoes in a large pot. Add water to cover, bring to a boil, and boil for 25 to 35 minutes or until tender. Remove potatoes from water and mash. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and stir into mashed potatoes. Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper.
• To Make Sauerkraut Filling: Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and place in a medium bowl. Stir in sauerkraut, then sour cream. Mix well.
• Roll reserved dough out on a floured surface. Cut circles out of dough, using a small round container. Place a spoonful of potato or sauerkraut filling in the center of each circle and fold over, pinching edges together to seal. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; drop perogies in boiling water and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they float.

UKRAINIAN OLHA'S VARENYKY (PEROGIES)

Steps:

• To make the dough, combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the soft butter and evaporated milk; stir gently until all the liquid is absorbed. Add water only as needed, kneading continuously until dough sticks together. Place dough into a greased bowl, turn to coat, and let rest for 30 minutes.
• To make the potato filling, place potatoes into a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a medium skillet, over medium heat. Saute onions in butter until tender. Mix the onions into the potatoes along with the cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• To make the sauerkraut and cabbage filling, pour the drained sauerkraut into a large saucepan. In a medium skillet, saute 2 onions in 1/2 cup butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir the onions into the sauerkraut along with the cabbage and chicken bouillon cube. Cook over low heat until liquid evaporates. Season with pepper and remove from heat. Allow the mixture to cool, then run through a grinder or food processor.
• Remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out to 1/8 inch in thickness. Cut into 3 inch circles. Place one tablespoon of filling onto one side of the circle. Fold the other half over and press the edges to seal. Place finished dumplings onto a floured tray and keep covered.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop 10 or so dumplings into the water at a time. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, then remove to a colander to drain. Place finished dumplings onto a lightly oiled dish and turn them to coat with a thin layer. This will keep them from sticking together. Serve dumplings with fried onions and sour cream. Cooled dumplings also can be fried in oil and butter for a nice crispy surface.

PERFECT PEROGIES CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Saute butter, onion, and pepper in a skillet for five minutes.
• In a medium casserole dish, combine perogies, onion, pepper and ham.
• Mix milk and soup in a separate dish.
• Pour over casserole.
• Top with shredded cheese.
• Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT PIEROGIES / PEROGIES - OLD FASHIONED RECIPE

Steps:

• Sauerkraut Filling: Rinse the sauerkraut well in warm water, squeeze dry, and chop very fine.
• Cook the onion in the fat or shortening until tender.
• Add the sauerkraut and cream.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cook over low heat for 15 minutes or until sauerkraut is tender and the flavors blend.
• Do not over cook.
• Chill thoroughly.
• 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 pierogies, is that they can be made in large quantities, refrigerated, frozen and reheated without lost of quality.
• Many prefer reheated pierogies 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.

LAZY PEROGIES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, stir in the lasagna noodles, about 3 or 4 at a time, and return to a boil. Cook the noodles uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through but is still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes per batch. Drain well in a colander set in the sink, and lay the cooked noodles flat on waxed paper or aluminum foil while you finish cooking the rest of the noodles.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x11-inch baking dish.
• Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of onion salt, and season with salt and pepper. Set the mashed potatoes aside to cool. When cooled, mix with shredded Cheddar cheese.
• Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and almost crisp, about 10 minutes. Place the onion into the hot bacon fat, and cook and stir until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Break the bacon into pieces with a spoon or spatula, and set the bacon and onion aside. Mix the cottage cheese, egg, and 1 teaspoon of onion salt in a bowl.
• To make the casserole, place 3 lasagna noodles into the prepared baking dish, and spread with the cottage cheese mixture in an even layer. Top the cottage cheese with 3 more lasagna noodles, then spread potato-cheese mixture in a layer. Top the mashed potato layer with 3 more noodles, then spread the bacon and onion into an even layer on top of the casserole.
• Cover the casserole with aluminum foil, and bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot, about 30 minutes. Allow to set for about 10 minutes before serving.

COTTAGE CHEESE PEROGIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, egg yolks, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and baking powder. Pour in the vegetable oil and cold water, and mix or knead into a smooth dough.
• Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface, and cut into 3 inch circles using a glass, can, or cookie cutter. Place a spoonful of the cottage cheese filling onto each circle. Fold in half, and pinch the edges together to seal.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the perogies into the water, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they float. Remove from water with a slotted spoon, and place on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess water.

PEROGIES WITH VARIOUS TRADITIONAL FILLINGS

Steps:

• note***The dough recipe is for around 50 perogies.
• At least 1 batch for each filling.
• I make a day of this and triple each recipe.
• Believe me, they don't last long!
• For the dough: Mix egg, oil and water.
• Add to flour and salt and knead to elastic.
• Flour your counter top and rolling pin.
• Roll the dough to around 1/4 inch thick and cut into small circles.
• Stretch with fingers and add 1 t. filling, fold over and flute.
• Boil until perogies float.
• Cool before freezing.
• Cottage cheese and Dill filling: In a large bowl mix all ingredients together well and fill perogies.
• Sauerkraut and Bacon: In a large bowl mix together all ingredients well. Bacon fat will cling to the kraut. Fill perogie dough.
• Potato and Cheese: In a large bowl mix well the potato, cheese, salt and mix well. Fill Perogie dough.
• You will need about 1 and 1/2 recipes for the dough for each batch of filling, depending on how thick or thin you roll your dough.

HOMEMADE COTTAGE CHEESE PIEROGIES / PEROGIES - THE OLD FASHIONED

Steps:

• Cottage Cheese Filling: Combine the cottage cheese with the egg and season to taste with the salt.
• If the cheese is very dry, an additional egg (or egg yolk) or thick sour cream can be added.
• 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 ofyour 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 pierogies, is that they can be made in large quantities, refrigerated, frozen and reheated without loss of quality.
• Many prefer reheated pierogies 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.

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.

LEKVAR-PRUNE FILLED PEROGIES

Steps:

• Put the prunes in a good sized saucepan-heavy bottom if you have one.
• Pour in water to cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook over a"hard simmer/light boil.
• "You may need to add more water to prevent scorching.
• When prunes are soft puree in a food processor until smooth.
• If the prunes are in any way runny cook until thick.
• Make dough-or cut recipe in half and fill with prune filling.
• (see recipe#20108 for filling and crimping directions) Boil perogies in water until they float, drain.
• Fry in butter if you wish and serve with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or topping of your choice.
• Freeze whatever filling your not using.

UNCLE BILL'S POTATO/CHEDDAR FILLING FOR PEROGIES

Steps:

• In a medium size saucepan, add potatoes and just cover with water.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat and cook for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Drain and mash potatoes.
• Add grated cheese and mix well.
• Cheese will melt and will be incorporated with the potatoes.
• In a frying pan, add butter, chopped onions and garlic and saute' for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add saute'ed onion/garlic to the potatoes in the saucepan and mix well.
• Add beaten eggs, salt and pepper and mix well.
• The amount of filling to use will depend on the size of Mini Form you will be using.
• If using the 4" Mini Form, use 1 heaping tablespoon of filling.
• The filling mix handles best when cooled.

OLD FASHIONED SAUERKRAUT PEROGIES

Steps:

• 1. FOR THE SAUERKRAUT FILLING: Note: You can fry your onions and bacon ahead of time.
• 2. I bought the type of sauerkraut that you find in a jar, so first drain it and then rinse the sauerkraut well in warm water, squeeze it dry, and chop it up finely.
• 3. Cook the onion or shallot in fat or shortening until tender and the flavors are blended.
• 4. Add the sour cream to the sauerkraut, season with salt and pepper.
• 5. Cook in a saucepan on low for 15 minutes until the sauerkraut is tender. Do not over cook this!
• 6. Chill in the fridge until cold and then fill the perogies.
• 7. FOR THE PEROGIES
• 8. Put the flour, butter and salt into the food processor with the lid on and turn on the machine. Put the water through the feeding tube in a stream. Let this process until a ball of dough is formed. Let the dough sit for a half hour and it will be easier to work with. I put mine in a plastic bag on the counter.
• 9. Once the dough has set and the sauerkraut is chilled roll out the dough and use a 4" round cookie cutter to cut out your perogies. Fill each being careful not to get any on the edges. Seal shut tightly.
• 10. Place the perogies on a floured surface so they won't stick. Cover with a tea towel.
• 11. Drop the perogies into a large pot of boiling water. When they float up to the surface they are done. Don't put too many in the pot at once, maybe 6 at the most, otherwise this will cool your water down too much.
• 12. Melt some butter and put it into the bottom of an oven proof dish and add your first layer of perogies I use a 9x13" casserole dish. I layer the perogies with fried bacon and onions and more butter. These stick easily so make sure you have enough butter on them.
• 13. Place in the oven and keep warm until you're ready to eat. I love a dollop of sour cream on the side.
• 14. Enjoy!

SHORTCUT POTATO ONION PEROGIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Cut in the butter using a fork until pieces are very small. Stir in the water and mix until well blended. If the dough is too sticky, stir in a little more flour until you can knead it on a floured surface. Knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes. Cover, and let rest for 10 or 15 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter or large glass. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
• To make the filling, prepare the mashed potato flakes according to package directions. Set aside. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until soft and transparent. Remove from the heat, and mix in the mashed potatoes.
• Place one tablespoon of the pierogi filling onto each circle of dough. Fold circles over and pinch the edges to seal tightly so that no filling will escape while they boil. They can be frozen at this time if you like.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully drop several perogies into the water. They are done when they float to the top. Continue the process with remaining perogies. You can also fry the perogies in some butter with onion before serving if you like.

RUSSIAN VORENIKI (VARENIKI, PEROGIES) RICOTTA CHEESE AND ONIONS

Steps:

• DOUGH PREPARATION--------------.
• In a medium size mixing bowl, add eggs, milk, whipping cream and salt and whisk well to blend.
• Add baking powder and stir in gently.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and egg mixture and mix well to incorporate.
• Add additional flour if necessary so that dough does not stick to the bowl or feel sticky.
• Form dough into a ball and knead about 10 times.
• Divide dough in half, form into balls, wrap each ball in plastic wrap and set aside.
• FILLING--------------.
• Squeeze out as much liquid from Ricotta cheese and discard.
• In a large mixing bowl, add Ricotta cheese and beaten eggs and mix well to blend.
• Add chopped green onions, salt and black pepper and mix to incorporate.
• Break off pieces of dough and form into balls about the size of a golf ball.
• On a floured surface, roll out each ball to a round about 1/16 inch thickness, turning at least once during rolling.
• Place dough into a 5 inch"MINI FORM" and make sure that the dough projects over the edges.
• Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into the centre, lift one edge of the"MINI FORM" and lightly press push the filling down.
• Now fold the"MINI FORM" completely over and squeeze tightly.
• Remove any excess dough by running your finger around the folded edge and set dough aside to be use again.
• Continue to form the Voreniki until all dough and filling are used up.
• If you have any filling left over, cover and refrigerate to be used within 2 days.
• TO COOK--------------.
• Fill a pasta cooker or a large cooking pot 3/4 full with water and bring to a rolling boil.
• Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
• While the water is boiling, drop 6 formed Voreniki, stir once carefully with a slotted spoon so that the Voreniki do not stick together.
• Cook for 3 minutes total as they will rise to the surface after cooking for about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl.
• If desired, sprinkle some melted butter over the Voreniki.
• DO NOT add melted butter if you are going to freeze the Voreniki.
• Serve immediately with additional melted butter, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt and a sprinkling of chopped green onions or chives.
• To reheat, you can drop them again into boiling water for about 1 1/2 minutes.
• You can also fry the Voreniki in a small amount of butter, cover and fry on medium-high for 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned.
• TO FREEZE--------------.
• Place on a tray or cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze.
• Then package them in zip-loc bags or vacuum seal in bags in desired amounts.
• To reheat frozen Voreniki; let thaw for about 1/2 hour and then fry in a small almount of butter as noted above.

UKRAINIAN PEROGIES, FOR BEGINNERS

Steps:

• Dough--------------.
• Mix dough ingredients together.
• You may have to add more liquid or flour to make the dough soft and somewhat sticky.
• Turn onto a floured surface and knead more flour into dough- just enough to make it easier to handle.
• The dough will be slightly sticky.
• Do not over-knead.
• Place dough in an oiled bowl.
• Cover and let rest for 30 minuets.
• Filling-----------.
• Cook onion in butter.
• Mix with potatoes, and add cheese while the mixture is still hot.
• You may substitute Cheez Whiz for the cheddar.
• Let filling cool before using (place in fridge.) If you are using the alternate filling, simply mix those ingredients together.
• Manufacturing--------.
• Set a large pot of water to boil.
• Form walnut-sized balls of the filling.
• Roll out dough on floured surface fairly thinly (3 millimeters, or 0.125 inch).
• You will probably need to add flour as you roll.
• Cut out circles approximately 7 1/2 centimeters (3 inches) in diameter (a wider-mouthed glass should do fine.) Press scraps into a ball.
• Place filling ball in center of dough circle.
• If the dough has a less-floury side, keep that side up.
• Fold dough over ball, and pinch edges to form a half circle.
• To prevent perogies with"horns", I pinch at the top ("90 degree mark") of the perogy first, then pinch at the 180 and degree edges, working up to the 90 degree mark.
• You can cheat pinching the perogies by smearing water on the filling side of the dough at the edges, and keep your fingers floured when you pinch (on the non-filling side.) In order to prevent perogies from drying out, keep finished perogies on a floured surface, and cover with a floured clean dishcloth.
• Place several perogies in boiling water.
• Stir once, gently with a slotted spoon.
• Perogies are done when they float for a minute (this will take 2-3 minutes).
• Melt about 1/2 cup of butter or margarine in microwave.
• Rescue and drain the perogies with the slotted spoon.
• Place in a bowl, drizzle with some melted butter, and gently shake to distribute the butter.
• Cook, drain, and drizzle the other perogies in the same manner.
• *Platzkies (pronounced "plutch-keys"): (The scrap dough is not tender enough to make into perogies, but make good"dumplings" by themselves.) Roll out scraps to approxamitely the same thickness as before.
• Add minimal flour, and handle dough as little as possible.
• Try to keep edges even.
• Cut dough with a knife into strips about 8 cm (3 inches) wide.
• Cut each strip into several triangles and/or squares.
• Cook strips in water until they float.
• Repeat draining and drizzling treatment as with perogies.

CHICKEN WITH PEROGIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Coat a 2-quart casserole with nonstick cooking spray.
• In medium saucepan, over high heat, thaw frozen pierogies in boiling water for 5 minues.
• Drain: set aside.
• In large saucepan, over medium heat, combine soup, mushrooms, peas and chicken.
• Cook stirring about 5 minutes, or until heated through.
• Place pierogies in casserole.
• Place vegatables over pierogies.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese.
• Bake 15 minutes.

PEROGIES WITH CABBAGE, BACON AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Parboil perogies in a 6 to 8 quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 minute less than package instructions indicate (perogies will not be completely cooked) Transfer with a slotted spoon to a colander to drain. Pat dry.
• Heat 1 TBS oil in a 12 inch heavy skillet and saute half of the perogies, turning over once, until golden, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer to a large platter and cover loosely with foil. Keep warm. Add 1 TBS oil to skillet and cook remaining perogies in same manner.
• Cook bacon in same skillet over moderately high heat stirring occasionally until crisp and golden, 6 to 8 minutes, then transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 TBS of fat from skillet, then add remaining oil and saute onion, stirring until golden, about 8 minutes.
• Reduce heat to moderate, then stir in garlic, cabbage, water and salt. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally until cabbage is tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to platter with perogies and sprinkle with bacon and dill.
• Serve hot with sour cream if desired.

WINNIPEG PEROGIES

Steps:

• Mix all the dough ingredients together in a large bowl. Knead it thoroughly. Let it rest covered in fridge overnight. It gets smooth after sitting for a long time. Very nice to work with.
• * Note* I've had perogies that are made with just potatoes, just meat, no cheese, only onion, some with just jam. It's up to you what you put in yours this is what I like in mine.
• After you've let the dough rest, peel all your potatoes, while those are on the stove, fry up the bacon and onions. I like to rough chop the onions, and cook the bacon whole, then throw it all in the food processor for a quick whirl.
• Shred all that cheese. It's time consuming, my step mom has a huge industrial grater for this, but I have to do it by hand. That's the only reason I have kids. That and dishes. Anyhow.
• Once you've cooked the potatoes to a soft stage, drain and rinse them thoroughly, I like to put them through the ricer before I salt, milk, butter and mash them, but however you make your potatoes is your deal.
• A. THE "PRETTY" WAY --
• Separate the dough into workable portions, and roll each portion as thin as you can without ripping the dough. Not paper thin, more like a 1/8 inch.
• I have a pasta roller, so I use this for uniformity sake.
• Use a 2-3 inch circular cookie cutter to cut out as many doughs as you can.
• Put a spoon sized amount of filling into the center of each circle, and dampen one edge with a smidge of water. Press to seal.
• B. THE "RIGHT" WAY --
• Take a small ball of dough in one hand, and smash it as flat as you can, stretching and pulling to get it large enough for a spoonful of filling.
• Dampen an edge and press to seal.
• Either way you do it, they'll taste awesome.
• Remember though that you have to boil the "raw" perogies before you eat them, or fry them or freeze them.
• To do this, simply make a HUGE pot of boiling water, dump a goodly amount of oil into it, drop in a handful of perogies (not too many as they will stick together and get yucky). When they float, take them out and either
• a) eat them, adding more toppings.
• b) throw them into a hot frying pan, cook them add more bacon, onions and sour cream and enjoy.
• or.
• c) toss them in a coating of oil, wait for them to cool and freeze them in a single layer on cookie sheet, when they have frozen you may put them into a freezer bag and store.

UKRAINIAN VARENYKY WITH ONION BUTTER (PEROGIES)

Steps:

• DOUGH: Combine flour, baking powder add salt in food processor.
• Process for 3 seconds.
• With motor running, slowly add cooking oil and enough warm water through feed chute until a ball begins to form.
• Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.
• Knead 3 to 4 times until smooth.
• Cover with plastic wrap.
• Let stand for 20 minutes.
• ONION BUTTER: Saute onion in butter in small saucepan on medium-low for about 10 minutes until onion is soft but not brown.
• Keep hot.
• TWO CHEESE POTATO FILLING: Mix first 4 ingredients in medium bowl until Cheddar cheese melts and mixture is evenly moist.
• Makes about 2 1/4 cups filling.
• Divide dough into 4 equal portions.
• Roll out 1 portion into a rope about 12 inches long.
• Keep other portions covered.
• Cut at 1 inch intervals.
• Press balls slightly to flatten.
• Cover with plastic wrap.
• Stretch and press 1 ball to about 2 1/2 inches in diameter or roll out with rolling pin.
• Place in palm of hand.
• Place about 2 teaspoons filling centre.
• I like to make the potato filling a day ahead so that it is cold.
• Fold dough in half.
• With well floured fingers, pinch edges firmly together to seal.
• Edges of dough may be moistened if desired.
• Arrange in single layer on lightly floured tea towel-lined baking sheet.
• Cover with tea towel to prevent drying.
• Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• Cook varenyky, in batches, in boiling water and salt in large pot or Dutch oven for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until varenyky float to top.
• Allow to bob for 1 minute.
• Remove using slotted spoon.
• Drain.
• Turn into large bowl.
• Drizzle some Onion Butter over each varenyky batch.
• Gently shake to mix and prevent sticking.
• Makes 4 dozen varenyky.
• VARIATION: Add 6 bacon slices, cooked crisp and crumbled, to Two Cheese Potato Filling.
• VARIATION: After varenyky are cooked, sauté, in batches, in 2 teaspoons butter in frying pan until lightly browned.
• TO MAKE AHEAD: Place filled varenyky (cooked or uncooked) on baking sheet, in layers between waxed paper or parchment paper.
• Cover.
• Freeze until solid.
• To remove varenyky, hit baking sheet on counter to pop them off.
• Store in resealable freezer bags in freezer.
• To cook from frozen, do not thaw.
• Boil, as above, increasing cooking time after they float to top.
• Serve with sour cream.