Traditional perogi

Makes about 8 dozen. Can be made ahead and frozen.

Filling:

8 to 10 potatoes
1 onion, finely chopped
6 T margerine or butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarelloa cheese
salt and pepper

  1. Peel and cut potatoes into cubes. Boil until tender. Reserve cooking water for dough. (aha! That's why we had you make the filling first!)
  2. Meanwhile, saute onion in butter, set aside to cool.
  3. Mash potatoes, add onion with butter, cheeses, season to taste and mix well. Set aside.
This is a traditional filling. You can also use a mashed potato/cottage cheese mixture, or mashed potato/sauerkraut mixture.

Dough:


2 1/4 cups reserved potato water, cooled to lukewarm
2 eggs
6 T veg. oil
6 to 7 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 t salt


  1. Combine potato water, eggs and oil; mix well.
  2. in another bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center. Pour water/egg mixture into well and stir until mixture is smooth.
  3. Turn dough out onto a lightly foured surface and knead several times.
  4. Place dough in well greased bowl, turning once, and cover. Let rest for at least 20 minutes, 2 hours is better.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut dough into circles with a jelly glass.
  6. Place dough circle in the palm of the left hand. Plop a teaspoon of potato mixture into the center of the dough circle. Fold one half over the potato mixture and pinch the open edges together. Experts do this with a little twist. Be sure they are tightly sealed or the filling will ooze out during the boiling.
  7. IF YOU ARE FREEZING SOME FOR LATER: Place on baking sheets lined with wax paper. Once frozen, place in a large zipper-style plastic bag to store in freezer.
  8. To cook: Bring a large cooking pot of water to boil. Cook perogis in batches of 6 in boiling water. They are done when they rise to the surface.
  9. Fry in butter and onions until surface is golden brown.
Serve with sour cream.



Lazy Man's perogis

Lazy Man's Perogies

  1. Saute the diced onions in 1 1/2 sticks margarine until tender.
  2. Cook and cool lasagne noodles as directed on the box.
  3. Boil potatoes until tender as for mashed potatoes.
  4. Cube cheese.
  5. After potatoes are cooked add cheese and remaining margarine (no milk).
  6. In a 9 x 13 pan, layer: 1/3 of onions on bottom layer of noodles, 1/3 of potatoes. Repeat layers ending with mashed potatoes. Top with parmesan cheese and pepper.
  7. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 min. Cut into squares and serve.
(These have never been made in Pittsburgh)
8 servings