Ukraine, Russia, Poland and most other countries in Central and Eastern Europe love their Varenyky (also called Pierogi), and it’s easy to understand why. Varenyky are dumplings made of unleavened dough and stuffed with a savory filling. More than 50 types of fillings exist, and that’s what makes Varenyky such an incredibly versatile dish.

You can find Varenyky filled with cheese, potatoes, fried onions, mushrooms, fruits, and even sauerkraut.

Ingredients

• 420g flour
• 45g butter, melted
• 3-4 large potatoes
• 118ml warm water
• 2 eggs + 1 more (to brush the Varenykys)
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 115g cream cheese
• 115g mozzarella cheese, finely grated
• 2 tablespoons salt
• Pepper to taste

Directions

For the dough:

1. In a medium bowl whisk eggs with sour cream.
2. Add 140g of flour, salt and water and keep mixing until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Slowly add the other 280g of flour.
4. Put mixture on a lightly floured non-stick surface and knead for about 2 minutes, until smooth.
5. Cover with cotton towel and let stand for 30 minutes.
6. Divide dough in half and shape into 2 balls. While working with first ball, keep other one covered.
7. Place ball on floured non-stick surface and with flour, roll out dough really thin. Make sure it doesn’t tear!
8. Cut circles out of the dough.

For the filling:

1. Peel and chop potatoes into 2-3 cm slices or small cubes.
2. Put in a medium bowl and fill with enough water to cover potatoes. Add salt.
3. Cook potatoes in boiling water until easily pierced with a fork.
4. Meanwhile, melt 45g of butter.
5. Drain potatoes and let cool for a few minutes. Then, mash and stir with melted butter.
6. Mix in cream cheese and mozzarella cheese.
7. When filling is ready, use heaping tablespoon and put some at the center of each circle of dough.
8. Then fold the dough over the filling to form a semi-circle.
9. Brush edges with egg white and press edges firmly together with the tines of a fork to seal.
10. In a large saucepan, bring water, with 1 tablespoon of salt, to a boil.
11. Put Varenyky in the water and cook until they float to the top. Don’t forgot to occasionally stir with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking.
12. With a slotted spoon, carefully remove the Varenyky and put it colander to drain.

When serving the Varenyky, you can add yogurt; it tastes amazing!

Смачного! Enjoy!