Hello World! Welcome Friends! There are many wonderful snacks and foods from around the world available to anyone today. Food lovers have never had it as good as it is now.
Cities and towns are filled with restaurants and takeaways offering varied cuisines. Asian supermarkets encourage Americans and Europeans to try cooking Thai and Chinese food at home. TV shows pitch amateur cooks against each other to become professional chefs.
Even when the pandemic hit, foodies found ways to keep on trying different cuisines. Indeed, during the lockdowns, many people started cooking for the first time or found a reborn love in the activity.
If you are someone who is always looking out for a new food item to try or wants to make something different at home, then this article may interest you. Here you will find out all about pierogies, and how to cook and eat them.
What On Earth Is a Pierogi?
Okay, so the first question, of course, is what on earth is a pierogi. Just to make things more confusing, there are a few other names that this type of food goes by.
According to some sources, pierogies may also be called peroge, pirohy, varenyky, and pirogi. And that isn’t the full comprehensive list.
Normally though, pierogi is the name you will see when you search for recipes online. According to blogs such as Cooking School Dropout, pierogi is a type of dumpling.
They are made from unleavened dough. They have filling added, and then the dough is folded over to create the dumpling.
Where Does this Type of Dumpling Come From?
While not exactly controversial, the origin of the pierogi is somewhat disputed.
This type of dumpling is very popular in Poland, and many believe it is indeed from that nation. Others think it was taken to eastern and central Europe from other areas.
One thing is for sure, the origin of the dumpling doesn’t originate in Europe, but in China. According to the History Channel’s website, the humble filled dumpling was first created by a man called Zhang Zhongjian. The dumpling dates right back to the Han Dynasty in China.
There is no doubt though, that the fillings and style of the early dumpling have changed, and it is now a staple in Poland and other areas of Europe.
How Do You Make Them?
Pierogies can be stuffed with many fillings. Often these will include meat, cheese, and vegetables. Potato and mushroom are two other popular fillings.
You can even make sweet pierogies which could contain fruit, nuts, and perhaps cream or sweet cheese.
Once they are assembled, they are either cooked in boiling water for a few short minutes or pan-fried. You can get inventive and cook them in garlic butter, or choose a healthier option.
If you are of the healthy food equals a healthy you persuasion then simply boiling them is the best choice. Or, use an air fryer to get them all golden without them going near a frying pan.
What Do you Serve Them With?
Pierogies can be served alongside other dishes such as Polish sausage. Often the pierogi will have some type of sauce for dipping in.
Popular dips for pierogies are sour cream or melted butter with pork fat or onions. Pierogies are also often topped before serving.
You can top pierogies with fried onions, chives, lardons, dill, mint, or basil. If you have your creative cook’s hat on, you can make more complex sauces for your pierogies. It really depends on what the filling to the dumpling is that affects the topping and dip.
Are They Healthy to Eat?
Medical News Today reports on the importance of macronutrients. Pierogies contain all three macronutrients in their basic form of fat, carbs, and protein.
Depending on what you fill them with obviously, they could be classed as relatively healthy. A boiled or air-fried pierogi is obviously better than a pan-fried version.
A pierogi eaten as it comes will be healthier than one that is dipped into melted butter with pork fat included. Pierogies are in themselves a fairly healthy dish that can be turned into something more decadent if you wish.
The recommended way to eat healthy pierogies that still taste great would be to use lean meat and vegetables as the filling. Cook them in an air fryer, and serve them with a green salad and a light dip.
Summary
When it comes to must-have kitchen appliances in the home, the air fryer has become one of them. This appliance has sold tens of millions across the states alone. If you happen to have one of these, then cooking pierogies just becomes very simple.
You can make pierogies and freeze them for future use. Alternatively, you can buy frozen pierogies and pop them into your air fryer. They will come out golden and crisp, but not fatty like the pan-fried versions. When you are next scouring for something new to eat, perhaps take a look at pierogies.
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