PIEROGI CHEESE FILLING RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients listed under filling and refrigerate until ready to assemble pierogi.
• Combine the ingredients listed under dough and knead until well blended (dough should be somewhat dry and about the consistency of play-doh, you can knead in more flour if needed).
• Twist off workable portions of dough and roll out very thin on a floured surface.
• Using a glass with a thin lip, dip lip of glass in flour and cut circles out of the dough.
• Place about 2 tsp filling in the center of each dough circle.
• Moisten outer edges with water and fold dough over to close.
• Seal edges by pressing gently with the back of a fork or pinching together with your fingers.
• Cook 12 pierogi at a time, reducing heat to a gentle boil; boil, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking to the bottom, until pierogi float to the surface (about 5 minutes).
• Rinse in cold water, then drizzle melted butter or vegetable oil over dough to keep from sticking.
• Repeat with remaining pierogi.
• At this point you can serve them warm, freeze them for later use, deep fry them until golden brown or pan fry them in butter with onions over medium heat, lightly browning both sides before serving.

Steps:

• Mix the flour, egg and a pinch of sea salt until you have a smooth dough, adding a splash of water, if needed. Knead on a flour-dusted surface for 2 minutes, then cover and pop into the fridge. Trim the tough end off the broccoli stalk. Remove the florets, halving any larger ones, and chop the remaining stalk into 2cm chunks. Put one third of the florets aside, then cook the rest with the chopped stalk in a pan of boiling water for 8 minutes. Drain and mash well, then finely grate in the cheese, finely chop the chives and add half, stir in the soured cream, season to perfection and leave to cool. Peel and finely slice the garlic. Divide the dough into eight, then roll out each piece into a 14cm circle, dusting with flour as you go. Divide up the filling on one side of each circle. Lightly brush the exposed pastry with water, then fold it over the filling, twisting along the edge to seal, like in the picture. Put a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat with ½ a tablespoon of olive oil, the pierogi and the reserved broccoli florets. Pour in 1cm of boiling kettle water, cover and boil for 4 minutes. Uncover and fry the pierogi and broccoli on one side only for 4 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the bases are golden. Meanwhile, put 1 teaspoon of oil and the garlic into the pan you used to boil your broccoli, stir until lightly golden, then pour in the tomatoes, simmer for 2 minutes and season to perfection. Serve it all together, sprinkled with the remaining chives.