Pierogi is a traditional Polish dumpling dish. The dumplings can savory – stuffed with meat, or cheese and potato – or sweet. Here, I’m focusing on the cheese and potato pierogi, often called ‘ruskie’, or Russian, pierogi. They’re a cheap and relatively easy meal to make, and the product can be frozen for reheating in the future. Serve boiled or pan-fried.

Makes 40 dumplings

Ingredients

Filling

1 lb potatoes (red potatoes work best)

8 oz Farmer’s Cottage Cheese

4 onions

4 oz butter

Dough

2 ½ All-purpose flour

1 egg, lightly beaten

½ cup warm water

Salt to season

Serve with dill and sour cream

Method

1. Cut the potatoes into quarters, place in a large pan of salted water and bring to the boil. Cook until tender. Drain the water and place potatoes in a large bowl. Mash until smooth.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, cook until golden, stirring when necessary.
3. For the dough, pour flour into large mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt. Combine egg and warm water with flour, adding more water if needed. The dough should not be sticky. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Divide dough into three parts, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside for 15 minutes to rest.
4. While the dough is resting, add cottage cheese to mashed potatoes and stir in a quarter of the onion-butter mixture. Mix well using clean hands. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Dust work surface with flour and roll out dough until paper thin. Using a 3.5 inch pastry cutter, cut as many dough circles as possible (it should be around 8). Place a tablespoon of potato mixture in the center of the circle. Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush around the edge of the circle and fold over to enclose filling. Make sure there are no air pockets.
6. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Cook pierogi in batches of 4, for 3 minutes, or until they rise to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain  excess water.
7. Reheat the rest of the onions in the skillet, add pierogi and lightly fry until golden and crisp on the outside. Serve with dill and sour cream, if desired.