Best Potato Pierogi Recipes

PIEROGI RUSKIE (POTATO AND CHEESE PIEROGI)

Steps:

• Prepare the dough: Add the flour and salt to a large bowl; whisk to combine. In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup water and the butter over medium-high until butter is melted, about 3 minutes. Pour the buttery liquid into the flour gradually, stirring it in as you add it. (The dough will be quite crumbly and flaky at this point, like a biscuit dough.) Stir in the egg until combined then move the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, 5 to 7 minutes. Cover the dough with a dampened towel or plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Prepare the filling: Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Add them to a large pot, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt and cover with cold water by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high and continue to cook at a simmer until potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.
• While the potatoes cook, prepare the onions: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high. Add the onions, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and softened, about 12 minutes. Set aside about 1 cup of onions for garnish and add the rest to a medium bowl.
• Transfer the cooked potatoes to a colander to drain, then transfer to the medium bowl with the onions. Add the cheese, stir to combine, season generously with salt and pepper, then let cool.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high.
• Prepare the wrappers: Cut the dough into two even pieces. (You'll want to leave one piece under the towel to stay moist while you work with the other piece.) You'll also want a small bowl of flour, a small bowl of water and a towel handy for keeping your hands clean. Dust some flour onto a baking sheet (for holding the pierogi) and your work surface, then roll out one portion of dough until 1/8-inch thick. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter or inverted glass, punch 12 to 15 disks of dough. (Save and refrigerate the scraps to boil as a rustic pasta, in soup or another use.)
• Assemble the pierogi: Working with one disk at time, spoon a scant tablespoon of filling onto the middle of it. Fold the dough in half to enclose the filling, bringing the edges together to form a crescent shape. Pinch the two sides together at the top, then work your way down on both sides, pinching the dough over the filling and pushing in the filling as needed, making sure the potato mixture does not break the seal. If needed, you can dip your fingertip into water and moisten the dough in spots as needed to help the two sides adhere together.
• To form a rustic pattern on the curved seal, pinch the rounded rim underneath using your pointer finger and middle finger and press an indentation on top with your thumb, working your way along the rounded rim. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. (If you've gotten some filling on your fingers, dip your fingertips into the bowl of water then dry them off on the towel.)
• Repeat with remaining disks, then repeat the entire process with the remaining portion of dough. You'll want to work fairly quickly, as the pierogi can be harder to seal if they start to dry out. (If cooking the pierogi at a later point, transfer them on the baking sheet to the freezer until frozen solid, then transfer the pierogi to a resealable bag and freeze.)
• To cook the pierogi, add a single layer of pierogi to the pot of boiling water. Let them cook until they rise to the surface, about 2 minutes, then cook another 2 to 3 minutes until puffy. (With frozen dumplings, you will need to increase the cooking time by a couple of minutes.) Use a slotted spoon to transfer cooked dumplings to a colander to drain, then boil remaining dumplings.
• If you want to pan-fry your pierogi, working in batches, melt 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high until crackling. Add a few boiled pierogi in a single layer to avoid overcrowding, and cook until crisp and golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining pierogi, adding butter as needed.
• Serve hot. Top with any browned butter from the pan, warmed reserved onions, sour cream and herbs.

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 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.

POTATO AND CHEESE PAN-FRIED PIEROGI

Steps:

• For the pierogi dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, olive oil, eggs, salt and 2 1/2 cups warm water. Start the mixer on slow for a minute, and then switch to high for another couple of minutes until the dough pulls away from the bowl. Then slow the mixer down to medium speed and slowly add the remaining 1 cup warm water. Once the water is absorbed, return the mixer to high and let the dough beat for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the bowl. Cut the dough into 4 pieces. Form into balls, spray with nonstick spray, wrap in plastic wrap and let rest in a warmer area for 20 minutes.
• Spray the counter or large cutting board with the nonstick spray and begin to roll the dough with a rolling pin. Roll until a consistent thickness of 1/4-inch. Then spray with nonstick spray. (If it gets too thin, that's ok as you can re-ball and roll out again.) Use about a 3-inch circle cutter and press down hard and give a slight twist to completely separate from the rest of the dough, continue this throughout the entire piece.
• Remove the scraps and in-betweens, save, re-ball and re-roll. Then flip the circle cut-outs; they are ready to be stuffed.
• For the mashed potato filling: Boil the red potatoes, leaving the skin on, in a stock pot with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Once the potatoes are soft, drain off the water and place in the mixer bowl with the dough hook or paddle attachment. Add the butter right away so it will start to melt. Then add the cream cheese, sour cream, granulated garlic, onion powder and black and white peppers into the bowl and mix on a medium speed. Mix until smooth and free of all lumps. Now add the farmer's cheese and mix on high for a couple minutes until a little fluffy. Season with kosher salt. Loosen with milk if necessary. Let cool.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray (so the delicate dough doesn't stick. Place about 1 teaspoon of the potato and cheese filling in the center of all the cut-outs. (I like to use a bamboo skewer or large toothpick to remove the filling from the spoon to keep your hands clean.) Then pick up the dough with two hands and fold over the filling. Slightly pull out both sides at the base of the fold, then continue to pull, then pinch, and form and seal as you continue around the half moon. Double check for any areas that aren't smooth or completely sealed. Repeat. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• In a large saucepan bring three-quarters of a gallon of water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a rapid boil. One by one, drop in the pierogis. Par-boil them until they float, about 5 minutes. Then place them back on the baking sheet to let cool.
• To serve: Cover the bottom of a saute pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, saute the pierogis; they should sizzle once they hit the oil. After a minute or so, flip them, looking for a golden brown color. Plate with the sauteed onions and a side of sour cream for dipping. Drizzle with the butter and sprinkle with the parsley. Enjoy!

POTATO AND CHEESE FILLING FOR PIEROGI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together mashed potatoes and shredded Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

PIEROGI DOUGH FOR POTATO AND GOAT CHEESE PIEROGI

Steps:

• Place unpeeled potato in a large saucepan, and cover by 2 inches with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon salt, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium, and cook until tender, about 40 minutes. Drain, and peel while still hot, holding the potato with a clean kitchen towel. Pass the potato through a food mill fitted with the finest disk or a potato ricer into a large bowl.
• Sift flour, potato starch or cornstarch, and remaining salt into the bowl with the potato, and combine with a wooden spoon. In a small bowl, whisk together egg, creme fraiche or sour cream, and butter, and add to the potato mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until well combined.
• Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead for 5 minutes, until smooth and firm. Let rest, covered, for about 10 minutes. Lightly flour a clean work surface, and roll out the dough to slightly thinner than 1/8 inch. Use a 3 1/2-inch-diameter cookie cutter to cut out circles; set them aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover them with plastic wrap while preparing the filling.

POTATO AND ONION PIEROGI

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to boil for the potatoes. Saute the onion in a small pan in 2 tablespoons of butter until translucent and set aside. Boil the potatoes until tender.
• While the potatoes are boiling, begin the dough. Whisk together the eggs, 1/4 cup water and sour cream and pour into a small pitcher (or you can actually whisk them right in a container such as a 2-cup glass measuring vessel). Mound the flour in the center of a clean room-temperature work surface like a large wooden cutting board. Create a crater in the center of the mound. Pour enough of the egg mixture into the center to fill the crater. With a fork, gently begin to scramble the mixture within the confines of the crater, whilst integrating the flour from the sides of the crater as you carefully beat the egg mixture.
• Once this first amount of the egg mixture is mostly mixed in, shore up the sides of the mound again with flour, maintaining the crater shape. Repeat the process with a second pour of egg mixture into the crater, and again until you have combined all the egg mixture. (Remember that making pasta is not an exact science. Depending on the flour, you may need more moisture to make the dough come together, in which case use a little extra milk or water. Conversely, if the dough is too wet, add a little more flour - but just enough to make it the right consistency. This is an acquired skill so be patient with yourself.) Start kneading the dough with your palms, allowing the warmth of your hands to impart elasticity to the dough. Knead for a count of about 400 strokes or until you feel you have created a cohesive mass. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow it to rest for about 30 minutes.
• Return to the potatoes, drain, and mash them with the sauteed onion, chives, butter, milk, and salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• Work with 1/3 of the pasta dough at a time - keeping the balance wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Use a pasta machine to gradually roll each section of the pasta down, successively reducing the setting on the machine until it is at a thickness of 1/16th of an inch.
• Cut 3-inch circles of pasta, spoon some of the mashed potatoes into the center and fold the filled circles into half moons, sealing the edges with egg wash and pressing shut with your fingers or carefully with the times of a fork.
• Bring a large shallow saute pan of water to a boil, and gently boil the pierogi in batches for 2 or 3 minutes, removing carefully to a utility platter with a wooden spoon.
• The final step is to melt the butter in a large fry pan and saute the garlic for a few minutes until it is tender and imparts its flavor to the butter in the pan. Be careful not to burn either the butter or the garlic. Saute the pierogi in this garlic butter and serve.

POTATO-COTTAGE CHEESE FILLING (PIEROGI FILLING)

Steps:

• Cook onion in butter or margarine till tender. Combine with potatoes, dill, salt and dash pepper. Stir in cottage cheese.

CHEF JOHN'S POTATO AND CHEESE PIEROGI

Steps:

• Prepare dough: Mix 3 ½ cups flour and salt together in a large bowl, then make a well in the center. Pour vegetable oil and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water into the well. Stir to form a shaggy dough that just pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Use a little flour to clean the dough off the spoon.
• Transfer dough to a work surface; press and knead for a few minutes until you have a smooth, soft dough. You can add a little more flour if it's too sticky but don't add too much. Form dough into a ball and wrap in plastic. Leave on the counter for 1 hour or pop it into the refrigerator for 3 hours to overnight.
• Prepare buttered onions: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let mixture cool a bit, then transfer to a bowl and reserve until needed.
• Prepare filling: Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and mash until smooth. Let cool to room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place farmer's cheese in a bowl and break it up with a spoon. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne, then add 2 to 3 heaping spoons of the buttered onions. Be sure to drain off most of the butter so you're adding mostly onions. Mix just until ingredients are evenly combined.
• Add cooled mashed potatoes and mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside while you roll the dough.
• Roll ¼ of the dough at a time on a floured surface until very thin, at least 1/8-inch thick or thinner if possible. Cut 3 ½-inch circles out of the dough, saving all scraps for re-rolling.
• Add about 2 tablespoons filling to the center of each circle. Moisten your fingertips with water and wet the edges, then fold the dough over the filling and seal the two edges together in the center. Flatten the filling very lightly under the dough as you press and seal the edge of each pierogi with your fingers, working from the center to the ends. Try not to trap air in the pierogi as you seal. The edge can be left as is, or you can pinch the dough every inch or so to make pleats for a more decorative appearance.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pierogi in batches and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes (they may or may not float to the top.)
• While the pierogi are boiling, melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Transfer pierogi from the boiling water directly into the melted butter. Cook until light golden brown, about 2 minutes per side or longer if more browning is desired.
• Continue boiling and browning pierogi in batches as needed.
• Transfer to a plate and spoon buttered onions over top. Garnish with sour cream and chives.

POTATO AND GOAT CHEESE PIEROGI

Steps:

• Place potato in a large pan, and cover by 2 inches with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon salt, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium, and cook until tender, about 40 minutes. Drain, and holding the potato with a kitchen towel, peel while hot. Pass potato through a food mill, fitted with the finest disk, or a potato ricer into a large bowl.
• Add goat cheese, shallot, egg yolk, cream, sage, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper, and mix well using a wooden spoon.
• To form dumplings, place a circle of pierogi dough on a work surface, and put a heaping teaspoon filling toward the front of the circle. Moisten the edges of the dough with water, and fold in half around the filling to form a semicircle, firmly pinching the edges closed. Set aside on a lightly floured baking sheet. Continue to fill and form pierogi, keeping them covered with plastic wrap, until all the dough is used up.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and add half the pierogi. Boil gently until they float to the surface, about 2 minutes, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more. Lift out with a slotted spoon, and repeat with remaining pierogi. Serve immediately.

POTATO PIEROGI WITH SOUR CREAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt in large bowl. Cube half the cream cheese. Add to flour mixture; cut with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and warm water; mix until mixture forms ball. Place on lightly floured surface. Knead 5 min. or until dough is smooth and elastic.
• Mix remaining cream cheese with potatoes, onions and pepper until blended.
• Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness; cut into 48 (3-1/2-inch) rounds, rerolling trimmings as necessary. Spoon 1 Tbsp. potato mixture onto center of each round. Lightly brush water around edge of each dough round; fold in half to enclose filling. Seal edges with fork.
• Bring large saucepan of water to boil. Add pierogi, 12 at a time; cook 3 to 4 min. or until they float to the surface. Remove pierogi from water with slotted spoon; drain.
• Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in large skillet in medium heat. Add 1/4 of the shallots and 12 pierogi; cook and stir 4 min. or until pierogi are golden brown. Repeat, in batches, with remaining butter, shallots and pierogi.
• Mix sour cream and chives until blended. Serve with the pierogi.

POTATO-CHEDDAR PIEROGI

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let rest until the skins are dry. Transfer the potatoes to a mixing bowl.
• Mash the potatoes until just broken up. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 tablespoon pepper. Continue mashing until there are no lumps and the dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed in. Add the cream cheese and continue mixing until blended. Add the Cheddar; mix until blended (see Cook's Note). Refrigerate until chilled.
• To assemble the pierogi: On a well-floured surface, roll out a ball of Pierogi Dough the size of a large orange into a rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out 3-inch rounds of dough (a pint glass will do).
• Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each round, then fold the rounds in half. Take care to make sure all the air pockets are pressed out of the pierogi. Crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers.
• Boil the pierogi for 3 minutes, then brown in a skillet. Serve with caramelized onions and sour cream.
• Add the eggs, flour, mashed potatoes, baking powder, salt and 1/2 cup water to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Cover the dough in plastic wrap or a slightly damp cloth. Let rest in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes and up to 4 hours.

RUSKIE PIEROGI (PIEROGI WITH CHEESE & POTATO FILLING)

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients listed under filling and refrigerate until ready to assemble pierogi.
• Combine flour, salt and butter in food processor.
• In a separate bowl, blend together egg, egg yolk, milk and sour cream.
• Add egg mixture to flour mixture and process until dough cleans sides of bowl and sticks together (the dough will be slightly sticky).
• Remove from processor, shape into a ball, wrap in plastic and chill for 3 hours or overnight.
• Cut dough into thirds; roll each section out on floured surface into 12" round.
• Cut each round into 8 (3") circles (using a glass works well).
• Place about 2 tsp filling on each dough circle.
• Moisten outer edges with water and fold dough over to close.
• Seal edges by pressing gently with the back of a fork or pinching together with your fingers.
• In large pot, bring salted water to boil.
• Cook 12 pierogi at a time, reducing heat to a gentle boil; boil until pierogi float to the surface (about 5 minutes).
• Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towel and transfer to serving dish.
• Repeat with remaining pierogi.
• At this point you can serve them warm, freeze them for later use or fry them in butter over medium heat, lightly browning both sides before serving.

POTATO AND GOAT CHEESE PIEROGI WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• To make the dough: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in the bowl of a heavy-duty standing electric mixer (or in a large bowl). Whisk the sour cream, water, eggs, and oil together in a small bowl, then pour into the flour mixture. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed (or stir with a wooden spoon), adding more water if the dough is too dry, to make a soft dough. Change to the dough hook and mix on medium-low speed until the dough is smooth and supple, 6 to 8 minutes. (Or turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes.) Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough cold salted water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well. Press the potatoes through a potato ricer (or rub them through a coarse wire sieve) into a medium bowl and let them cool.
• Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, about 3 minutes. Stir the onion into the potatoes, along with the goat cheese and chives. Stir in the cream and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To assemble the pierogi: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Working with one half of the dough at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured work surface until about 1/8 inch thick. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out rounds of the dough, reserving the trimmings.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon filling on the bottom half of each round. Brush the edge of each round with beaten egg, fold in half to enclose the filling, and seal closed with a fork. Transfer to the baking sheet. Knead the dough scraps together until smooth and let rest for about 10 minutes. Then repeat with the remaining dough and filling. (The pierogi can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 8 hours.)
• To caramelize the onion: Melt the butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Stir in the thyme and season to taste with the salt and pepper. Let cool. Coarsely chop the onions and transfer to a small bowl. (The onions can be covered and refrigerated for up to 8 hours. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• To make the truffle creme fraiche: Mix the creme fraiche and truffle oil in a small bowl. (The creme fraiche can be covered and refrigerated for up to 8 hours. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line another large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels.
• To cook the pierogi: Heat the oil in a large skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium heat. In batches, without crowding, add the pierogi, flat sides down, and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pierogi to the baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while cooking the remaining pierogi, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.
• Arrange the pierogi on a platter. Top each with a dab of the caramelized onions and sprinkle with the chives, if using. Serve immediately, with the truffle creme fraiche.

PASTA AND POTATO PIEROGI LASAGNA

Steps:

• For the potatoes: Bring a pot of water with the cubed potatoes to a boil and boil until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain. Heat the milk and butter in a pot, then add it to the cooked potatoes and mash until smooth. Mix in the salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For the meat and cabbage: Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sausage and cook, stirring and breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes, then add the meat back in and stir. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste bubbles a bit but does not brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the hot milk, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens, and bring it to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper, then lower the heat and add the Cheddar. Cook until a smooth sauce is obtained. Add additional salt and pepper if needed.
• For the assembly: Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with some cooking spray. Spoon a thin layer of the cheese sauce on the bottom of the dish, then place 4 of the noodles on the sauce. Top with a third of the meat-cabbage mixture, a third of the potatoes and a third of the cheese sauce. Layer in another 4 noodles, another third of the meat-cabbage mixture, potatoes and cheese sauce and sprinkle in half of the Parmesan. Repeat the layers one more time, then top the final layer with the remaining Parmesan. Bake until golden, 30 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

PIEROGI (POTATO AND MUSHROOM SAUERKRAUT)

Steps:

• Make the Caramelized Onions
• Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably cast iron, over low heat. Add the oil and the onions and toss the onions to coat. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, leaving a little gap for steam to escape. Stir occasionally, every 5 minutes or so. Onions should turn amber, but not burn, although a couple of darker spots are fine.
• Remove the cover and turn the heat up just a bit, to a medium setting. Stir often for 10 more minutes. Onions should become a darker amber, and some of the moisture should evaporate.
• Make the Potato Filling
• In a medium-size pot, cover potatoes in water. Place a lid on the pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook for about 20 more minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
• Meanwhile, in a large pan, sauté the onions in oil over medium heat for about 7 minutes. Turn the heat off but continue to stir occasionally because they could still burn from the hot pan. When the potatoes are done boiling, drain them well and add them to the pan with the onions. Just mash them right in there with a potato masher; that way you are sure to get all the oil, plus you save a dish. Add the salt and pepper. Make sure potatoes are mashed well and fluffy. Set aside to cool a bit.
• Make the Mushroom Sauerkraut Filling
• You know I don't usually advise cooking with margarine, but I really love it with the mushrooms here, I think because growing up the mushrooms I ate were really buttery. Anyway, this filling is really simple. In a large skillet, melt the margarine over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for about 7 minutes, until the mushrooms are soft.
• Before adding the sauerkraut to the pan, give it a squeeze over the sink to get out as much water as you can. It's important to do this so that your pierogi don't get all wet. You'll need to add the sauerkraut to the pan a cup at a time. Add to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, cooking out any excess water. Season with the pepper. The filling shouldn't look dry (a small amount of water is okay), but you shouldn't be able to slosh around in it in rain boots.
• Make the Dough
• This is really the brunt of the work in this recipe. If you're like me, you have limited counter space and so rolling out dough can be a hassle. I make the dough last because the mess becomes much more manageable when you don't have to prep on the counter afterwards. It also gives your filling some time to cool. So make sure you clean up after your filling making and get someone to do the dishes for you. I find that a serene counter makes all the difference in dough making.
• Pour the water and oil into a large bowl. Add 2 cups of the flour and the salt, keeping one cup aside. Use a fork to stir the flour in, and as it starts to come together, use your hands to knead until a loose dough forms (about 3 minutes).
• Sprinkle your counter with flour, then turn the dough out onto it and knead. Add the reserved cup of flour a little bit at a time, working it into the dough, until it is very smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. If it's too sticky, you can add a little bit more fl our and knead it in, sometimes up to 1/4 cup extra. Conversely, if you get a good-feeling, smooth, elastic dough with less than the extra cup of fl our, then that's okay, too.
• Now we roll the dough out, and also bring a salted pot of water to boil-the largest pot you've got-for boiling the pierogi.
• Divide the dough in half and make sure your counter is clean and sprinkled with a dusting of flour to prevent sticking. Roll half the dough out to about 1/16 of an inch thick, which is to say, very thin but not see-through. I roll it into an 18 x 10-inch rectangle, but as long as you have the thinness going, the shape doesn't matter so much. Sprinkle the top with a light dusting of flour.
• Now we're going to make circles. I use the top of a glass that is 3 1/2 inches in diameter, but somewhere between 3 1/2 and 4 inches is perfect. Use a glass or a cookie cutter. Have ready a lightly floured plate to place the finished circles on, and go ahead and fi rmly press your glass or cookie cutter into the dough, as close together as you can. Pull together the excess dough and set aside. Place circles on the floured plate and transfer to the fridge while you repeat with the other half of the dough. Combine the excess dough and see if you can get a few more wrappers out of the deal.

POTATO PIEROGI WITH CABBAGE AND BACON

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden. Stir in cabbage and salt to taste and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes, or until cabbage is very tender and beginning to brown. Stir in vinegar and 1 tablespoon parsley.
• While cabbage is cooking, heat butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook pierogi until bottoms are golden. Turn pierogi over and add water to skillet. Simmer until water is evaporated and bottoms are golden, about 2 minutes. (If pierogi are large, cook in 2 batches, using half of butter and water for each batch.) Stir in remaining tablespoon parsley.
• Serve potato pierogi over cabbage mixture.

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.

POTATO-LEEK SOUP WITH MINI PIEROGI

Steps:

• 12 frozen mini pierogi (half of a 1-pound package) Chopped fresh chives, for topping
• Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leeks and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until well coated, about 2 minutes.
• Add 3 cups water, the chicken broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are very tender, 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Working in 2 or 3 batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a clean pot and stir in the cream; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp, about 7 minutes. Transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Add the pierogi to the skillet and cook, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and warmed through, about 5 minutes. Top each serving of soup with pierogi, bacon and chives.

POLISH POTATO PIEROGI (PIEROGI RUSKIE)

Steps:

• 1. Make the filling first: Boil potatoes. Saute onions in olive oil or 1/2 stick butter. Mash potatoes with onions, farmers cheese, 1 stick salted butter, and salt and pepper to taste. Don't omit the pepper!
• 2. Store potato filling in fridge until well chilled / overnight.
• 3. Make the dough: Sift flour and salt together. In large bowl or on floured surface, make a hole in the middle of the flour.
• 4. Add egg and sour cream. Work this together with your hands. Pour water in as needed, to make dough moist.
• 5. Work this well until dough forms. Your arm may hurt and your fingers may get really sticky, but it is worth it.
• 6. Place dough in plastic bowl and cover with plastic top, or leave on floured work surface and cover with plastic bowl. Let it rest for about 30 minutes in room temp.
• 7. In the meantime, set up your workstation. You will need a large pot of salted water, slotted spoon, 1-2 sticks salted butter in saute pan, baking dish with a cover (for when you remove pierogi from pot), small cup of water, extra flour, sharp knife, rolling pin, and regular spoon for spooning filling, and floured plate for storing your raw pierogi.
• 8. After 30 minutes, take out your dough. Begin to boil your pot of salted water.
• 9. Slice off some of the dough. On a floured surface, roll dough out into as much of a square as possible. Make the dough about 1 millimeter, to 1 1/2 millimeter thick.
• 10. Slice dough sheet into squares (this doesn't have to be perfect size!). TIP: hold dough with two fingers while slicing, to prevent dough from clumping up...see pic!)
• 11. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling into the middle of square. TIP: Don't have any filling touching the sides. If you do, sides won't hold properly when pinching them together later on.
• 12. Dip fingertips into warm water. Slide along the sides of the square. Fold over, and pinch together. TIP: Do this gently and don't tear the dough, and don't let filling slip onto the edge. This will help pierogi not fall apart in cooking.
• 13. Place pierogi on floured plate. Repeat steps until you have about 8-10 pierogi ready for the pot. TIP - don't overcrowd pot with too many pierogi because they won't have room to move around and cook properly.
• 14. Once you have them ready, and pot of salted water is boiling, drop pierogi into the pot one by one, stirring the water after each drop. TIP: Stir the WATER, trying not to touch the pierogi. You want to babysit this and constantly stir, to prevent pierogi from sticking to pot, and to each other.
• 15. Wait for pierogi to float to top. Boil them for 10-12 minutes, stirring water often. TIP - after ten minutes, take one out to test it, meaning cut it open and taste if dough is done.
• 16. In the meantime, melt 1-2 sticks of salted butter. Pour some into baking dish you have ready on the side, to collect your done pierogi.
• 17. Once done, carefully fish out your pierogi with slotted spoon into buttered baking dish.
• 18. Pour butter all over pierogi after each set you make. Slosh them around in the dish so they don't stick together. Keep dish covered whenever you can so they don't dry out.
• 19. TIP: If your pierogi break in the water, and your water starts to get dirty from the bits of filling floating around in it, start over with a new pot of boiling salter water.
• 20. TIP: When not using your dough, keep covered with plastic to keep it from drying out.
• 21. Enjoy!