Pierogi Picnic Salad Recipes

PORK CHOPS WITH GLAZED APPLES AND PIEROGI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, season the pork chops on both sides with salt and the paprika. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook until browned, adjusting the heat as needed so the butter doesn't get too dark, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the pork to a plate.
• Add the apples and shallots to the skillet. Cook, tossing, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Move the apples and shallots to one side of the skillet and add the tomato paste to the other side. Cook the tomato paste, stirring, until it darkens slightly, about 1 minute. Add the vinegar, honey and thyme, then stir in 1 cup of the boiling water from the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until the apples are tender and the sauce thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Add a little more water, if needed.
• Meanwhile, add the pierogi to the pot of boiling water and cook as the label directs. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the skillet; nestle the pork chops in the mixture. Cut the remaining 1 tablespoon butter into small pieces and stir into the sauce. Cook, stirring, until the pierogi are coated in the sauce and the pork is just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Divide among plates. Top with chives.

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.

PIEROGI WITH SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pierogi as the label directs. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the bell peppers, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, 7 to 9 minutes. Season with salt.
• Add the pierogi to the skillet and toss. Add the butter and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water; cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until the butter melts, adding more cooking water as needed to loosen. Stir in the basil.