Polish food may not be Singapore’s most popular foreign cuisine, but no one can resist pierogi. Never heard of this traditional boiled dumpling? Get the low-down here.
Filled with flavour and mystery
Something of a mystery, pierogi’s origins are widely debated. Surprisingly, many of the origin stories begin outside Poland-the country the dumplings are must associated with today. Some legends claim the dish originated in Ukraine, Russia, or even China. In any case, they’ve been a part of Polish culture since at least the 17th century, when they first began to appear in Polish cookbooks. Now, they’re becoming a popular treat in Singapore and beyond.
One reason this dish is so popular is its wide array of fillings. From mashed potatoes to mushrooms, there’s a stuffing to suit every taste. What’s interesting is that back in the old days, these flavours were designated to different holidays. At Christmas, for example, the pierogi fillings of choice were cabbage, sauerkraut, and mushroom. In fact, most Polish families still enjoy these flavours on Christmas Eve to this day.
Boiled or fried, you’ll be satisfied
The first step in making great pierogi is getting the dough right. Usually, the dough is made with just two simple ingredients: warm water and flour. Sometimes extra ingredients are added to change the texture. Egg makes the dough stiffer, mashed potato makes it creamier, and sour cream makes it lighter. Once the dough is ready, the chef cuts it into circle shapes and adds the fillings-meat, vegetables, cheese, fruit, or a combination thereof. Finally, the pierogi are folded in half, pressed together, and simmered until they float. Sometimes, they’re fried or baked after boiling to get a crispy exterior.
No matter what your flavour preference, you’ll be spoilt for choice with all the pierogi fillings to choose from. Some favourites include plain white cheese curds, meat and onions, sauerkraut and mushrooms, or berries and sugar. Often, the savoury dumplings are eaten with melted butter, fried bacon and vegetables, or sour cream. If you choose sweet dumplings, try eating them topped with fruit preserves. Since there are so many ways to enjoy pierogi, they make a perfect finger food at any time of day.
Where to fill up on filled dumplings
Fun fact: while many people think the plural is ‘pierogis’, the word ‘pierogi’ itself is actually already plural. The singular is ‘pierog’, but most people never use it because who would be satisfied after just one?
Impress your friends with this Polish trivia when you order fried pierogi from Dumpling Darlings.
