Homemade Pierogi

Ingredients

All-purpose flour

3 cups, plus extra for dusting

Salt

1 teaspoon

Warm water

1 cup

Egg

1 large

Potatoes

2 cups, peeled and cubed

Unsalted butter

3 tablespoons, divided

Onion

1 medium, finely chopped

Sour cream

1/2 cup, plus more for serving

Black pepper

to taste

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, warm water, egg, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until a rough dough begins to form.
2. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. If the dough feels sticky, gradually incorporate more flour as needed.
3. Cover the kneaded dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out.
4. While the dough is resting, prepare the filling: peel and cube the potatoes, then boil them in a pot of salted water until fork-tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain and mash the potatoes until smooth.
5. In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, sautéed onions, sour cream, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix until well blended.
7. On a floured surface, roll out the rested dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles of dough.
8. Place a heaping teaspoon of the potato filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly, ensuring a tight seal to prevent the filling from escaping.
9. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pierogi in batches for about 5 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Remove them with a slotted spoon.
10. For added flavor, you can sauté the boiled pierogi in a skillet with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter until they are golden brown on both sides.
11. Serve the pierogi hot, garnished with additional sour cream or melted butter.