Yuliya's Potato Pirogues

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 3 large egg yolks
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
• 2 tablespoons butter, plus extra for frying
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/4-1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 to make the dough, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• 2 make a well in the center and add the water and egg yolks. with a wooden spoon, stir constantly until the dough holds together, adding a little more water if necessary.
• 3 turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 2 minutes. put the dough back in the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and set it aside.
• 4 for the filling, boil the potatoes in a large saucepan of salted water for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
• 5 drain the potatoes, then mash them by hand.
• 6 meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet. add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often.
• 7 add the onion, cheese, and salt to the potatoes and mash them inches.
• 8 bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• 9 meanwhile, break the dough into quarters. roll one out thin on a floured surface.
• 10 using a biscuit cutter or a water glass, cut the dough into 3 to 3 1/2-inch circles. roll out and cut the scraps. repeat with the other 3 quarters until all the dough is used.
• 11 put a heaping teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle.
• 12 moisten the edge of the circle with a wet fingertip, then fold it in half and press the edges together firmly to seal.
• 13 drop the pierogi, 8 to 10 at a time, into the boiling water. simmer until the pierogi rise to the surface, then continue to simmer for 4 to 5 minutes more.
• 14 next, melt a little butter in a large skillet. using a slotted spoon, transfer the pierogi from the water into the skillet. cook them in the butter over medium high heat for several minutes, until lightly browned on both sides.
• 15 serve hot and garnish with a little extra cheese, if you like.