Recipe: Blueberry pierogi

July 23, 2014 at 5:58PM
Pinch the edges of the dough closed to create the pierogie pillow. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)
Pinch the edges of the dough closed to create the pierogie pillow. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

blueberry pierogi √

Makes about 24.

Note: The amount of blueberries needed will depend on the size of the berries. Refrigerated pierogi also are good the next day, reheated briefly in a microwave, for a summery breakfast. From Kim Ode.

Dough:

• 2 1/2 c. flour

• Pinch salt

• 1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk

• 1/2 c. water

• 2 tbsp. sour cream

Filling:

• 2 tbsp. powdered sugar

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 2 c. blueberries (depending on size; see Note)

Spiced sour cream:

• 1 c. sour cream

• 1 tbsp. powdered sugar, or more to taste

• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg (or cinnamon, if you prefer)

Directions

Combine the flour and salt in a bowl, then make a well in the middle. Add the egg, additional yolk, ½ cup water and sour cream. With a fork, start whisking the liquid ingredients, slowly bringing in flour from the sides until the dough comes together. Add a spoonful of water if necessary. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead gently, flouring your hands when necessary, until the dough is a smooth, pliable ball. Cover with a towel and let rest for 45 minutes.

In another bowl, toss the powdered sugar with the lemon zest, then add blueberries, tossing to coat.

Begin heating 4 quarts of water in a large pot. While the water is heating, make the pierogi.

Divide the dough in half, keeping one half covered. On a well-floured surface, roll half of the dough until it's 1/8 inch thick. With a glass or round cutter, cut 4-inch rounds, taking care to get as many from the sheet of dough as possible. (You can gather the scraps and roll it once again, but only once, or the dough becomes tough.)

Hold a round in the palm of your hand and drop in 5 to 8 blueberries (depending on size), then bring up the sides and pinch dough together, trying to keep the berries in a single layer as much as possible. (You can also keep the round on the counter while filling, then fold over to seal.) Place pierogi on a floured baking sheet or piece of parchment paper and continue until all the rounds are filled. Repeat with the remaining dough and berries.

With the water at a low boil, drop in the pierogi in batches of 8 and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and let drain in a colander. Repeat with the remaining dumplings, transferring the drained pierogi to a plate.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet and sauté the pierogi in batches, turning once until there are a few spots of golden-brown, adding more butter for each batch as necessary.

Stir together the sour cream, sugar and nutmeg. Serve with pierogi.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories85Fat3 gSodium18 mg

Carbohydrates13 gSaturated fat1 gCalcium17 mg

Protein2 gCholesterol21 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 other carb, ½ fat.


Pierogies before being poached. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)
Pierogies before being poached. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Spoon the pierogies out of the boiling water to drain before sautéing. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)
Spoon the pierogies out of the boiling water to drain before sautéing. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Sauté the pierogies until golden. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)
Sauté the pierogies until golden. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Use a round stencil to stamp dough into circles. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)
Use a round stencil to stamp dough into circles. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Roll the dough flat with a rolling pin. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)
Roll the dough flat with a rolling pin. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Combine confectioners sugar and lemon rind mixture with blueberries. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)
1. Fresh blueberries are tossed with a simple mix of powdered sugar and lemon zest. 2. Working with half of the dough, roll on a well-floured surface until about 1/8-inch thick. 3. Cut rounds that are 4 inches across, using a cutter, ramekin or glass. 4. Cradling the dough round in your palm, fill with several blueberries, then pinch the edges closed. 5. You can also lay the round on the counter, fill and pinch closed. Lay filled pierogi on a floured surface or parchment paper. 6. Poach pierogi for about 3 minutes, then drain. 7. Sauté in a bit of butter until just golden. Serve with spiced sour cream. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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