Freezer Delicious...Homemade Perogies
What is the best comfort food, that kids beg for and is so satisfying on winter’s chilly evenings? For our family it’s perogies for sure. My Ukrainian sister-in-law is a great cook and she has a wonderful family recipe. She was kind enough to share it, as well as her expertise.
Recipe makes 11 dozen perogies.
Here’s what you need:
Supplies:
Rolling Pin
Perogy Press (or fingers work fine) - we got ours off of WISH.com for about $5.
Glass (to cut circles)
Cookie Sheet
Parchment Paper
Dough:
4 Cups Flour
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 Cup Oil
1 1/4 Cup Warm Water
2 Eggs (well beaten)
Filling can be whatever you want, but we used:
Mashed Potatoes
Sharp Cheddar (shredded)
Bacon (cooked and chopped)
Salt and Pepper
Other traditional filling suggestions are at the end of the recipe.
Dough: Mix water, oil and eggs.
Sift flour and salt.
Add wet ingredients to dry.
Kneed until smooth. This get gets nicely smooth, so if you have lumps, keep going.
Cover and let stand for 1 hour in a warm location.
Filling: Mix mashed potatoes, cheddar, bacon, salt and pepper in quantities to your taste. Can add a bit of milk, butter or bacon grease if too dry, as long as it sticks together it will work (or your filling ingredients). Set aside.
Divide dough in 1/2. Set 1/2 aside and repeat with second 1/2 when done with first.
Using flour dusting on counter and and rolling pin, roll out until 2mm (ish) thick.
Cut, using glass like a cookie cutter.
Place dough cut out on press and fill with a spoon full of filling in a 1/2 moon shape. Just place it in the middle if not using a press. See photo below.
Close press. If pressing edges with fingers, a tiny bit of water between the layers helps it stick, although not necessary with press.
Set on parchment lined cookie sheets in a single layer and freeze for an hour before bagging.
Tip: When boiling, unlike store-bought perogies, they are not quite ready as soon as they start floating, they need about an extra 2 minutes to cook right through.
Other filling ideas:
-add sautéed onions to mashed potatoes/cheddar/bacon
-dry cottage cheese and mashed potatoes
-dry cottage cheese moistened with egg, butter and salt
Enjoy!
xx~Q