Babas Best Perohe Varenyky Pyrogy Dough Recipes

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.

BABA'S BEST PEROHE-VARENYKY-PYROGY DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine 2 eggs, 1 ½ cups cool water and 3 to 4 tablespoons of sour cream with a whisk. Set aside.
• Mix 6 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 cup of room temperature butter or margarine and 2 teaspoons of salt until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
• Mix the liquid into the flour mixture and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and not sticky.
• Divide the dough in 4 pieces. Use tea towels to prevent the other pieces of dough from drying out. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
• Roll out a piece of dough until it's 1/8th of an inch thick and cut out circles.
• Moisten the edges, add a heaping teaspoon of filling and seal.
• Lay out finished dumplings on a cookie sheet lined with waxed or parchment paper.
• If freezing, freeze on the cookie sheets and bag after they're frozen

BABA'S PEROGIES

Steps:

• Mix flour and salt, and add water to make dough that doesn't stick to fingers.
• Knead well and cover with damp cloth for 10 minutes.
• Roll out to 1/8" thick.
• Cut in squares or circles and fill with mashed potatoes and cheese.
• Pinch closed and boil until they rise to the top.
• Strain and serve with fried onions, sour cream, mushroom gravy, etc.

PIEROGI DOUGH

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Make a well in the center.
• In a separate bowl mix together the vegetable oil, warm water, and beaten egg. Pour into the well of the dry ingredients. Knead dough for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Cover dough and let rest for 2 hours. Roll out and fill as desired.