It doesn’t matter to me how you choose to spell it – pierogi, perogi, pirogi… just know that I WILL eat them. Pierogies are a traditional Polish dumpling of sorts that are stuffed with a cheesy potato mixture or sometimes with sauerkraut, ground beef or even fruit (although I have never tried a dessert pierogi!) (yet). Once they are made, the pierogies are first boiled and then pan fried for a bit with some onions and butter. We also fry up some sliced kielbasa and it’s just a heavenly accompaniment to the pierogies but you vegetarians can skip that part, of course. I’ll eat yours. ;) Now I personally am a cheesy potato filling kind of girl (heavy on the cheese, please!!) and I love having pierogies and kielbasa on Christmas morning.
While we are of Irish descent, one of my Mom’s dear friends Helene, who was also my Godmother, was Polish. Making pierogies with my Mom and Helene was an annual tradition for many, many years when I was growing up.
Helene, her daughter Meg (also my Godmother) and her Husband Steve (circa the late 70s)
I can still remember the flour all over the counter and the dough being rolled out. We would make TONS of pierogies because they could be frozen and enjoyed all year long, which also made my Dad extremely happy. Breakfast of champions!!
This year The Husband and I decided to carry on the tradition and try our hand at making pierogies both to serve on Christmas morning and to send home with the family to enjoy throughout the year (I’m just saying that because they might read this… we’ll see if any are left!) 
So here’s how we made ours with the potato cheese filling:
Directions (link to the full recipe at the end):
To prepare the pierogi dough, mix together the flour and salt. Beat the egg, then add all at once to the flour mixture. Add the 1/2 cup sour cream and the softened butter pieces and work until the dough loses most of its stickiness (about 5-7 minutes). You can use a food processor with a dough hook for this, but be careful not to overmix. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or overnight; the dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Prepare the Pierogies
Roll the pierogi dough on a floured board or countertop until 1/8″ thick. Cut circles of dough (2″ for small pierogies and 3-3 1/2″ for large pierogies) with a cookie cutter or drinking glass.
Place a small ball of filling (about a tablespoon) on each dough round and fold the dough over, forming a semi-circle. Press the edges together with the tines of a fork.
At this point, place the prepared pierogies in freezer bags or alternately sealed containers with the layers separated by freezer paper. If gifting, make sure to include cooking instructions! We don’t need any microwave incidents with uncooked pierogies!! 
We boil the pierogies (no need to defrost if frozen) a few at a time in a large pot of water. They are done when they float to the top (about 8-10 minutes).
Rinse in cool water and let dry.
Sauté chopped onions in butter in a large pan until onions are soft. We also sautéed some kielbasa, as mentioned above. Both the onions and kielbasa are optional, as you can just pan fry your pierogis with butter if you would like.
Set aside the kielbasa and onions and then pan fry the pierogies for a few minutes on each side until lightly crispy. We mixed up 1/2 cup sour cream and the chopped scallions (also optional) and placed a dollop on each pierogi – it was divine.
So yes, I have already sampled a few. Ok, maybe half a dozen, just to be SURE they were good of course. They are exactly as I remembered. Delicious!! I can’t wait for Christmas morning!
Here’s the full recipe: http://alittleclaireification.com/recipes/cheesy-potato-pierogies/
Do you have any traditional dishes that you and your family prepare every year at the holidays? I would love to hear about your traditions and recipes too!
xoxo
Claire
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
OOhhhh, I LOVE Pierogies! My favorite is the potato cheese with kielbasa and onions, just as you suggest. Or maybe it is ground beef with onions and potatoes, and some gravy on top. (no, the gravy is not typical, but so good!) And fruit Peirogies fried in butter are to die for!
Thanks Sandra! They are yummy! I will have to try the fruit filled and report back!! Anything fried in butter or bacon grease… oh my. LOL
Mmmm! I can taste them already. Thanks for sharing your memory of this. It reminds of many of my own memories about the holidays.
Wow! I really want to make those!
Bethany – So glad you popped in! You can SO make these – they are easy and a definite crowd pleaser!
Hope that you and yours have an AMAZING and very blessed holiday!
xoxo,
Claire
Oh yum yum!!! These are looking so dang good! WOW! And Thanks for the fun FB Giveaway! I would love to buy something fun for the Hubs!! And maybe some new sewing scissors for myself!
TY GIRL!
Grrrrl if you show up on my porch, I’ll feed you. lol
Thanks for tweeting about the giveaway and so glad you entered.
xoxo,
Claire
we love pierogies
but have never made them at home
these look yum!
thanks for the Twitter follow
and i did enter your giveaway!
{alison}
Thank Alison!! They are pretty darn easy to make and super yummy.
Glad you entered the giveaway ad thank you for tweeting as well! xo, Claire
Thanks so much for sharing these…it’s always nice to try new recipes. Thanks also for the giveaway. If I won…I would by something for my sweet hubs:)
Blessings,
Linda
Thanks Linda – I would buy something for my Hubs too.
I love that Amazon Prime free 2-day shipping deal. It has saved us a BUNDLE for two holidays now (because I would rather shop online, lol). I am so glad you stopped by and thank you for entering!!
Hope you and yours have a VERY blessed holiday! xo, Claire
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