Cheesy Sauerkraut Pierogi

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Today we’re preparing one of life’s classic comfort foods – pierogi, which are always a favorite in my home during the holiday season. We’ll be preparing ours ‘classic style,’ with a mashed potato and sauerkraut stuffing, along with sausage, cheddar cheese, peas, and garlic, and then serving them with a topping of sour cream, bacon, and chives.

I love pierogi since they’re fun to make, easy to get creative with, and are beloved by palates of all ages.  Basically, they’re one delight the entire family can enjoy, and there’s no limit to what you can do with them.

Now, without further introduction, let’s dive right in, because we’ve got a lot to cover.

What Are Pierogi?

Pierogi are dumplings made using an unleavened dough.  These dumplings are then boiled before being either pan-fried or deep fried.  Deep frying pierogi is more common in the USA than in Eastern Europe.

These dumplings typically feature a sauerkraut and potato-based filling, along with some combination of pork, beef, mushrooms, various cheeses, and onions.  The onions can be fresh, fried, or caramelized.  

With all of that said, however, there really is no ‘rule’ as to what these dumplings are stuffed with, since sweet fillings, such as blueberries and cherries, aren’t uncommon.

Building Your Pierogi – Tips and Notes

• The Dough.  Pierogis typically feature a half moon or crescent moon shape, and are prepared with a basic unleavened dough.  The dough is fairly simple, consisting of flour, eggs, salt, water, and usually – but not always – sour cream.  The dough should create a dumpling that’s flaky and crisp on the outside, and tender on the inside. 
• The Cooking Process.  While pierogi ‘can’ be served immediately after boiling, this typically is only done when they are being served in a soup, stew, or under a heavy sauce.  Even then, most pierogi are pan-fried after boiling to give the outside of the dumpling a crisp texture.  Pierogis ‘are’ sometimes deep fried, but this is most popular in the United States, and is only rarely done in Eastern Europe.
• No ‘Right’ Way.  The truth is, there’s really no ‘right’ way to make a pierogi.  Some people make them pan-fried, deep fried, or not fried at all.  Some prefer savory fillings that include cheese, potatoes, sauerkraut, and onions.  Others prefer sweet fillings that include baked blueberries, cherries, or even raspberries, or even savory fruit filling.  Some serve them topped with sour cream, chives, and bacon, or topped with warmed cherry syrupy.  Some serve them shaped in half-moons or made in the shape of oversized gnocchi.  Some serve in then soup, stew, or under a heavy red sauce, or a heavy white sauce.  Still others prefer them served on their own alongside a pint of beer. 
• It’s All Traditional to Somebody.  No matter how you’re enjoying your pierogis, they are all considered ‘traditional’ and ‘like grandma used to make’ by ‘someone.’  In short, today’s pierogi recipe is just one among many, many ways to make these little pan-fried dumplings, so don’t be afraid to experiment to your palate’s, content – because there really is no ‘right’ way to do this…although probably are a few ‘wrong’ ways to do it.

Ingredient Checklist For the Dough

• Flour.  All-purpose flour is what you’re looking for.  Bread Flour will result in a thick, heavy, and likely very ‘chewy’ dough.  Not fun.  Meanwhile, Baking Flour will result in a dough that likely won’t hold up during boiling, and simply fall apart.
• Salt.  Plain table salt is all you need here.
• Sour Cream.  This adds fat and flavor to the dough, resulting in a hardier, and tastier, dumpling.  You ‘can’ substitute plain yogurt, but be sure the yogurt is full fat – otherwise the dough will become overly ‘wet’ and fall apart.  Fat is important here as a binding agent.
• Egg.  The egg acts to add fat to the dough, binding it.
• Butter.  Plain, unsalted butter is all your need.

Ingredient Checklist for the Filling

• Potatoes.  Since we’re essentially filling the dumpling with mashed potatoes, use your preferred mashing potato.  Personally, I suggest Russets or Yukon Golds.  For mashing you want high starch potatoes.  Russets are high starch with a mealy texture, making them ideal for things like baking, mashing, and frying.  Meanwhile, Yukon Golds are medium starch potatoes, and are generally considered ‘all purpose.’  Either potato works fine for today’s recipe.
• Sausages.  Your preferred sausage for the filling.  Feel free to get creative.
• Cheddar Cheese.  I find that sharp yellow cheddar works great with the mashed potatoes and sauerkraut.  However, here again, get creative.
• Sauerkraut.  A staple ingredient for potato stuffed pierogi.  For today’s recipe we’re using Libby’s Crispy Sauerkraut, which features a barrel-aged and savory flavor that the entire family can enjoy. Sauerkraut adds an ‘acidic savory’ flavor to the pierogi, and is among one of the ‘core’ traditional ingredients in these dumplings.
• Sweet Peas.  Adds a bit of color and a nice bit of flavor.  We’re using Libby’s Sweet Peas as part of the filling for today’s pierogi, which gives the filling a nice pop of color, while providing the ‘sweet’ portion of today’s pierogi sweet-and-savory flavor. In that regard, Libby’s Vegetables provide a simple solution for giving your holiday meals a much-needed veggie boost.
• Black Pepper.  Cracked or pre-ground pepper is just fine.  However, for added aroma and taste, consider grinding up whole peppercorns in a mortar and pestle.

Ingredient Checklist for the Topping

• Sweet Onion.  I’m using Vidalia, but standard sweet onions will work fine as well.
• Bacon.  Fry the bacon up crisp, and then crumble it over the pierogis for added flare.
• Sour Cream.  A dollop for presentation and dipping.
• Chives.  These add a nice bit of color, but also play deliciously with the bacon and sour cream combo.

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