Pierogi and vareniki are two beloved dumplings of Eastern European cuisine, each with their own unique charm and delectable fillings. Pierogi, the more well-known of the two, originated in Poland and is typically prepared as a half-moon shaped pockets filled with a savory mixture of ingredients such as potato, cheese, sauerkraut, or meat. Vareniki, on the other hand, originated in Ukraine and are commonly made with a sweet filling of fruit, like cherries or blueberries, encased in a delicate dough. Both dishes share a rich history and are often associated with traditional holiday gatherings and special occasions. In this article, we present a selection of both pierogi and vareniki recipes, offering a diverse range of fillings and cooking methods to tantalize your taste buds. From classic potato and cheese pierogi to indulgent chocolate and cherry vareniki, these recipes are sure to delight dumpling enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike. So, prepare your aprons and let's embark on a delicious journey into the world of pierogi and vareniki!
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
PIEROGI AND VARENIKI DOUGH
The best pierogi dough ever! The dough is very easy to work with and does not break when boiling. The addition of the cake flour makes all the difference, they come out soft and wonderful. Dough may be made 2 hours ahead, wrapped well in plastic wrap and chilled. Bring to room temperature before using. Makes enough for about 48 pierogies or 32 varenikis. Cooking time is fridge time.
Provided by NcMysteryShopper
Categories Breads
Time 50m
Yield 48 pierogies
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Stir together flours in a bowl. Make a well in flour and add eggs, salt, and water, then stir together with a fork without touching flour. Continue stirring, gradually incorporating flour into well until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead, adding only as much additional flour as needed to keep dough from sticking, until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. (Dough will be soft.)
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature at least 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 20.3, Fat 0.2, SaturatedFat 0.1, Cholesterol 8.8, Sodium 39.4, Carbohydrate 3.7, Fiber 0.1, Protein 0.7
BASIC RUSSIAN VARENIKI OR PELMENI DOUGH (RUSSIAN PIEROGI)
A soft, and tender pelmeni dough that is easy to roll and can be used for sweet and savory recipes.
Provided by Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Categories Medium
Time 2h10m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Whisk together egg and sour cream until well combined.
- Whisk in 1 1/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup water.
- Using a spatula, mix in four, 1 cup at a time.
- Place the dough onto a floured surface. Using a food scarper, knead the dough by turning and folding it with the food scraper. Dust the dough with flour as you need it until it is soft and doesn't stick to your hands (you'll need around 1 cup more flour). Knead for 6 to 8 minutes. Don't add too much flour or the dough will become hard to work with.
- Place the dough under a bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 1 hour.
- Cut the dough into 4 to 6 pieces. Work with one piece at a time and keep the rest covered with plastic wrap.
- Form your chunk of dough into a log and cut off small pieces, one at a time. Pieces should be a little larger than a gumball. Dust your rolling pin and cutting board with flour and roll out a piece of dough until it is 1/8" thick and 3" diameter.
- Fill these circles with the desired filling (potatoes, cherries, blueberries or meat). Fold the dough over the filling to form a crescent and seal the edges tightly with your fingers. If making pelmeni (meat filling), pinch the two edges together to form a "diaper" shape. Place the finished pierogis on a cutting board dusted with flour until ready to boil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. As you finish the first batch of pierogies, place them in boiling water. After they float to the top, cook about 2 to 3 minutes more, then remove them with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Drizzle the pierogies with melted butter.
- Repeat steps 7 through 9 with the rest of the dough.
UKRAINIAN OLHA'S VARENYKY (PEROGIES)
Ukrainian Olha's Varenyky (perogies) These half moons of dough may be filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses, although for Christmas Eve potato and cabbage fillings are the favorite.
Provided by Olga D
Categories Main Dish Recipes Dumpling Recipes
Time 2h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 16
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 635.9 calories, Carbohydrate 81.9 g, Cholesterol 76.1 mg, Fat 27.9 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 15.7 g, SaturatedFat 17.2 g, Sodium 918.9 mg, Sugar 7.7 g
LENTEN PIROGI AND BOBALKI
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield : 2 dozen small pirogi
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook potatoes in simmering water until soft and put them through a potato ricer. Saute onion in margarine until very soft. Add 1/2 of the onions to the potatoes and season with salt and pepper.
- For the pirogi sift flour and salt into a bowl. Add vegetable oil and enough water to make a soft dough and mix until the dough no longer sticks to the hands. Cover dough and let rest for about 5 minutes. Roll out dough on a floured board to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough into small squares and place a dollop of potato mixture in the center of each square. Fold dough, pinching ends to form a triangle. When all are made, put into boiling water and boil for about 10 minutes.
- For bobalki, roll out leftover dough into 3-inch long pieces and cook with pirogi.
- When all are cooked, drain and serve with the remaining Sauteed onions on top.
PIEROGI AND VARENIKI DOUGH
Categories Gourmet
Yield Makes enough for about 48 pierogies or 32 varenikis
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Stir together flours in a bowl. Make a well in flour and add eggs, salt, and water, then stir together with a fork without touching flour. Continue stirring, gradually incorporating flour into well until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead, adding only as much additional flour as needed to keep dough from sticking, until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. (Dough will be soft.) Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature at least 30 minutes.
VARENIKI- UKRANIAN PIEROGIES
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h25m
Yield 50 to 55 vareniki -- enough fo
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- In a food processor, blend the flour and the salt. With the motor running, add the egg and the oil, and then pour the water in a slow, steady stream until the dough forms a ball around the blade. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 2 minutes, until smooth. Cover with a kitchen towel and let stand for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into 2 balls. On a floured surface, with a floured rolling pin, roll out one of the balls very thinly, to about 1/16th of an inch, making sure that it doesn't tear. With a cookie cutter, or a cup, cut out circles about 3 inches in diameter. Place a heaping teaspoon of the desired filling in the middle of a circle. Fold the dough over to form a semi-circle. Brush the edges with the egg and press firmly with the tines of the fork to seal. Place the vareniki as they are made on a large, lightly floured, platter, and cover with a damp cloth, while making the next batch. Repeat with the second ball of dough. Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to moderate and carefully lower half of the vareniki into the water. Boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they rise to the surface, about 6 to 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, carefully remove the vareniki into a colander and drain thoroughly. Transfer into a deep serving bowl and toss with half of the butter.
- In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and saute the onion until deeply colored, about 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Add the Sauteed onion along with the cooking fat and mix well. Fill the vareniki and cook as directed.
- In a large skillet, saute the bacon over medium heat until it renders its fat. Remove the bacon and drain all but 2 tablespoons of fat. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until nicely browned. Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the sauerkraut and saute, stirring until limp and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add the sugar and broth. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature before filling. Use the reserved bacon for topping.;
- Combine all the filling ingredients and mix thoroughly. Fill and cook as directed. This filling can be either sweet or savory, so add salt or sugar, accordingly. Serve with sour cream and confectioners' sugar, if sweet.
SOUR CREAM DOUGH FOR PIEROGI
A sour cream-based dough for your pierogi. Fill with your favorite fillings, such as potatoes and cheese or sauerkraut.
Provided by Courtney S.
Categories Main Dish Recipes Dumpling Recipes
Time 10m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Whisk flour, salt, eggs, sour cream, and milk together in a bowl. Add extra flour as needed to make dough less sticky.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 67.1 calories, Carbohydrate 12.1 g, Cholesterol 12.8 mg, Fat 1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 103.4 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
VARENIKI (RUSSIAN PIEROGI) WITH POTATOES AND MUSHROOMS
This is one of the most favorite dishes of our family: vareniki (Russian pierogi or dumplings) filled with potatoes and fried mushrooms. Serve with sour cream mixed with fresh herbs.
Provided by nt_bella
Categories Main Dish Recipes Dumpling Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 45
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 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 25 minutes. Drain potatoes and mash; season with salt and pepper.
- Combine flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl while potatoes are cooking. Stir sour cream and baking soda together in a second bowl. Add water to flour mixture and blend in, followed by sour cream mixture. Knead into a smooth dough, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook onions until browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add to mashed potatoes.
- Divide dough into 4 portions and roll each portion into a 1 1/2-inch thick rope. Cut ropes into small 1/2-inch pieces. Press each dough piece into a small flat circle and place 1 teaspoon of potato filling in the center. Fold dough over into a half-moon shape and seal edges.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Add the vareniki in batches and cook until they float to the surface, about 3 minutes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a colander to drain.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 56.1 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Cholesterol 3.3 mg, Fat 1.4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 78.6 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
VARENIKI DOUGH
I haven't tried this recipe yet. I have been trying different ones that I have found on the internet.This one sounds really good. The serving size is a guess.
Provided by Elcowgirl
Categories Healthy
Time 1h20m
Yield 60 vareniki
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Sift flour. Make a hole in the center.
- Combine all the other ingredients in seperate bowl.
- Beat until combined.Pour in hole in flour.
- Knead until dough stays together. Will be very soft.
- Let dough sit covered for about 1 hour.
- When I roll out the dough to make the Vareniki, I usually roll it to about 1/16" thick.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 84.4, Fat 2, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 24.2, Sodium 10.8, Carbohydrate 13.7, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 0.7, Protein 2.6
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best results. Look for fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible.
- Make sure your dough is well-rested before you start working with it. This will help it to be more pliable and less likely to tear.
- If you don't have a pasta maker, you can roll out the dough by hand. Just be sure to use a lightly floured surface and roll the dough out evenly.
- When shaping the pierogi, be sure to pinch the edges together tightly to prevent them from opening during cooking.
- Cook the pierogi in boiling water until they float to the top. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Serve the pierogi with your favorite toppings, such as butter, sour cream, or fried onions.
Conclusion:
Pierogi and vareniki are delicious and versatile dishes that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can easily make these dishes at home. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting meal to try, give pierogi or vareniki a try. You won't be disappointed!
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