Pierogies

by Ed Halmagyi

Ingredients

  • 2 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 bunch chives, finely sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt flakes and freshly-milled black pepper
  • 2 cup plain flour
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 brown onions, finely sliced
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
  • sour cream and paprika, to serve

Instructions

1 Steam the potato pieces over a saucepan of simmering water for 25 minutes, until softened, then press through a fine sieve. Set aside to cool. Mix with the cheese, chives and garlic, then season with salt and pepper. Form into 24 walnut-sized pieces, and refrigerate until firm.
2 Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the egg, sour cream and half the butter in a second bowl then pour this into the flour. Mix until a dough forms, but take care not to overwork. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3 Roll out the dough to 3mm thick, then cut out 8cm discs. Place a piece of the potato-cheese filling in the centre of each, then fold over, using a small amount of water to seal. Cook in a large saucepan of rapidly-boiling salted water for 7-8 minutes, until floating. Scoop out and refresh in iced water.
4 Sauté the onions, caraway and nutmeg in the remaining butter until softened, then season with salt and pepper and increase the heat and add the pierogies. Cook for 3 minutes, until lightly browned, then mix in the parsley and serve with sour cream and paprika.