Sourdough Potato Pierogi (Homemade Ukrainian Varenyky)
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 3 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- ¾ Cups Sourdough Starter or Discard
- 2 Organic (Brown Pasteurized Eggs)
- 2 Medium Size White Onions (Chopped)
- ⅓ Cup Filtered Water
- 1 Stick of Butter
- 2 ½ lbs or 6 medium Russet Potatoes (Cut into 4's)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl: combine eggs, sourdough starter, water, baking powder and salt. Then add flour and mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Knead the Dough on a floured surface until it becomes a smooth and elastic ball. Cover and let it rest for 30-60 minutes.While the dough rests, you can simultaneously cook the potatoes.
Cook the Potatoes:
- Peel, cut, and boil the potatoes in a pot of salted water. Drain once cooked.
Saute Onions
- On medium heat, melt 1 stick of butter in frying pan. Chop up onions and add to the pan. Saute until golden brown.
Combine Potatoes and Onions
- Mash the potatoes with this potato masher, fork, or hand masher until they are smooth. Mix ½ of the sauteed onions with potatoes, salt/pepper to taste, and a tablespoon of the melted butter from sauteed onions.
Assembly
- First, prepare a large baking sheet or a cutting board dusted with flour. Assembling Varenyky: After the Dough has rested, split it into 4 equal parts. Roll out one part on a floured surface to ⅛" thickness, keeping the rest covered. Use a 2 inch cookie cutter or edge of glass to cut out circles of Dough. Place a small spoonful of the potato filling in the center of each circle of dough then fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Pinch it firmly with fingers. Place varenyky on flour dusted surface (baking sheet or cutting board) until you are ready to boil a batch.
Cook the Varenyky
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water in small batches, not to overcrowd, using a slotted spoon. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they float to the surface. FYI: Because these are made with sourdough, it will take longer to boil and can take up to 10 minutes. Once they are cooked, remove the varenyky from water with a slotted spoon and place them into ½ of the remaining fried onion. Toss well and serve with sour cream.
Notes
If you'd like to fry the pierogi, you can do so after you've boiled them first.