Polish Potato and Cheese Pierogi {Pierogi Ruskie}

Anna

8 years ago

82 / 100

Polish Potato and Cheese Pierogi {Pierogi Ruskie}

If I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life, I would undeniably choose pierogi. Pierogi are known around the world as the national Polish dish, and us Poles proudly contribute to its popularity by consuming ungodly amounts of them, bragging about them, showing them off to friends and encouraging the pierogi-mania.

There are many varieties: meat, sauerkraut and mushrooms, just mushroom, spinach and cheese, fruit filled, sweet, savory, potato and cheese pierogi (a.k.a. Russian pierogi), and on and on. Very versatile dish they are, they could be served as an appetizer, main dish or a dessert. I could probably eat that without getting sick of them.

Potato and cheese pierogi were always made at home, especially around Christmas, but these days you can buy them at many pierogi “bars” that sprung out around the city where, if you find a good one, the menu is as long as the line out the door. That’s my kind of fast food restaurant 🙂

It may appear that they are a bit challenging to make, but with the right equipment, you’ll be done in no time. I like to use the meat grinder attachment to a standup Kitchen Aid kitchen mixer. I got mine as a hand-me-down probably 10 years ago, and it was 10 years old then. It’s still working perfectly. I use it very often and can’t see how anyone who spends any time in the kitchen wouldn’t want one.

For this recipe, I not only used the hook to make the pierogi dough, but also the meat grinder attachment. I don’t need any additional equipment, and can use it for so many other recipes that require grinding, like pasztet, cake dough making, like jabłecznik and many many more. AND it comes with a sausage stuffing attachment that I use often (I made the famous Easter sausage with it). I highly recommend it.

Making the dough is then effortless. Ingredients go in the bowl, hook on, turn on and walk away. It really takes the dread out of making pierogi. For me, making the dough was always most overwhelming, so the hook on my KitchenAid mixer is a life saver for me.**

Here is a video with step by step instructions on how to make this delicious dish:

Potato & Cheese Pierogi {Pierogi Ruskie}

Yields: 55-60 dumplings
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

FILLING::
2 lbs / 1 kg of raw potatoes
16 oz / 500 g of farmer's cheese (or 16 oz / 500 g cottage cheese - drained + 3-4 tbsp of plain greek yogurt)
1 large onion
2 tbsp of butter
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of freshly ground pepper
DOUGH:
3 c / 375 g of all-purpose flour
1 tsp of salt
1 egg
1 ¼ c / 300 ml of warm water
GARNISH:
½ an onion
A couple strips of bacon chopped and sautéed into bacon bits (optional)

Instructions

To make the filling, peel and boil potatoes in salted water until soft. Drain and set aside to cool.
Mince the onion and sauté in butter until golden brown.
If using farmer's cheese, crumble with a fork and set aside. If using cottage cheese, place in a strainer to strain some of the liquid.
When potatoes cool, mash with a hand masher, add sautéed onion, cheese (if using American cottage cheese, add plain greek yogurt), salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Taste and add salt, if needed.
Next, combine all ingredients to make the dough. Roll out in batches into about ⅛ inch / 2 millimeters in thickness. With a glass rim, cut out circles. Place a dollop of filling in each circle and seal tightly. Wet the inside of the edge for a better seal, and press edges with a fork once sealed or create a decorative edge.
Fill a large pot with water, add a tablespoon each of salt and oil. Once water starts boiling, turn down to LOW. Place a few dumplings (about 10, not to overcrowd) into boiling water, and LIGHTLY stir, to prevent sticking. Let boil for about 3 minutes, until they all float up to the top. Take out and spread on a clean surface, not touching.
You can serve immediately garnished with sautéed onion and bacon bits or sauté in butter on both sides until golden brown, garnished also with onion and bacon bits. Bacon bits are optional, but very desirable.

If you make a larger batch, boil and freeze (spread on a cookie sheet), and once frozen place in a bag or a container. In a crunch, place frozen pierogi in a large sautéing pan with a few tbs of water, cover and let though on medium heat. Once water evaporates, add a couple tablespoons of butter and sauté on each side.

You’ve now created your new favorite Polish fast food. 🙂

Enjoy and smacznego!

Anna

ps. if you don’t have access to farmer’s cheese, recipe here.

* my post includes affiliate links connecting you to amazon.com. If you choose to purchase something using my link, I will receive a small commission for talking about the product. With that said, please know that I’m only recommending products I absolutely believe in, use and, and am not only doing so to collect commission.