Crab Pierogies Recipes

HOMEMADE PIEROGI

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine flour and salt; cover and pulse to blend. Add water, eggs and butter; cover and pulse until dough forms a ball, adding an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed. Let rest, covered, 15 to 30 minutes., Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until tender, 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute onions in butter until tender; set aside., Drain potatoes. Over very low heat, stir potatoes until steam has evaporated, 1-2 minutes. Press through a potato ricer or strainer into a large bowl. Stir in cream cheese, salt, pepper and onion mixture; set aside., Divide dough into 4 parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness; cut with a floured 3-in. biscuit cutter. Place 2 teaspoons of filling in center of each circle. Moisten edges with water; fold in half and press edges to seal. Repeat with remaining dough and filling., Bring a Dutch oven of water to a boil over high heat; add pierogi in batches. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer; cook until pierogi float to the top and are tender, 1-2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon. In a large skillet, saute 4 pierogi and onion in butter until pierogi are lightly browned and heated through; sprinkle with parsley. Repeat with remaining pierogi. Freeze option: Place cooled pierogi on waxed paper-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pans; freeze until firm. Transfer to an airtight freezer container; freeze up to 3 months. To use, for each serving, in a large skillet, saute 4 pierogi and 1/4 cup chopped onion in 1 tablespoon butter until pierogi are lightly browned and heated through; sprinkle with minced fresh parsley.

LOBSTER PIEROGIES

Steps:

• Roll dough to 1/8-inch thick. Cut dough into 2-inch circles. Wrap and set aside. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender and drain. Place through ricer and fold in truffle butter and chives. Fold in lobster meat. Check seasoning.
• To assemble: Place a heaping teaspoon of the lobster mixture on half of each circle of dough. Fold the circles in half to make half moon shapes and crimp the edges to seal. Boil the pierogies in water until they float, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain. Saute until golden brown in butter.
• Place flour in bowl and form a well. Add remaining ingredients and mix by hand. Form in a ball, wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

CRAB PIEROGIES

Steps:

• In a food processor pulse flour and salt.
• Add eggs and cream cheese process for about 15-20 seconds.
• Slowly add water until dough forms a ball. Add more flour if dough is too sticky
• Let dough rest 20-25 minutes
• (Start boiling large pot of water with salt and a little bit of olive oil).
• Roll out half the dough (roll VERY thin).
• Use a large rimmed glass (like a martini glass) or round cookie cuter to cut out 4-5 inch circles.
• Fill each circle with 1 to 2 Tablespoons of filling
• Fold over ensuring that there is no air inside and edges are sealed. (I pinch edges together and then use a fork to seal each pierogie).
• Cook about 8-10 at a time in the boiling water. Once they rise to the top of the water (approx 3-5 mins) remove with slotted spoon and top with butter/sauteed onions.
• I like to sautee onions and then carefully toss the boiled pierogies into the pan to get them crispy. MMmm! Enjoy!

CHESAPEAKE BAY PIEROGIES

Steps:

• Combine crabmeat, scallion, red bell pepper, mayonnaise, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, Tabasco sauce, and 1/4 cup breadcrumbs in a medium bowl; mix well.
• Shape mixture into four crab cakes. Dredge crab cakes in remaining breadcrumbs and place on plate; cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Sprinkle pierogies with remaining 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning.
• Sauté pierogies in a 12-inch skillet as box directs; remove to plate.
• In same skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add crab cakes; cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side, adding more oil if necessary.
• Serve crab cakes and pierogies on serving platter. Makes 4 servings. You can also serve with a tossed salad.