Recipe: Two quick pirogie recipes using potsticker or wonton wrappers

I found several quick pirogie (varenky) recipes online using potsticker, eggroll or wonton wrapper. Here are two that look interesting.

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QUICK POTATO PIEROGI
(USING POT STICKER WRAPPERS)
Adapted loosely from the San Francisco Chronicle, 6/6/07
Source: Smitten Kitchen, 7/8/07
Source: The Floured Apron, 1/20/08
Makes 4-6 servings

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 to 5 tablespoons unsalted butter + a little extra to melt and drizzle over the dumplings (Deb note: I was able to make do with just 2 T butter in a non-stick)
3 onions, finely chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 to 2 packages of gyoza (pot sticker) wrappers
FOR SERVING:
3 to 5 green onions, thinly sliced or 1/4 cup chopped chives or 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or additional fried onions (see note), to serve
Sour cream, melted butter or vinegar to serve

Cook the potatoes in a large pot of salted boiling water until just tender. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a large heavy frying pan and cook the onions until they soften then lightly brown, darkly browned in spots.

Mash the potatoes in a bowl then mix in the onions and their cooking butter. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Using a round cookie or biscuit cutter the width of the smaller side of the dumpling wrapper, cut 10 to 12 wrappers at a time into circles, discarding the extra. Working on at a time, brush the edge of the round wrapper with water and place a spoonful of filling in the center. Fold dumpling in half, pressing the edges together to thoroughly seal.

Place each dumpling on a parchment or waxed paper lined baking sheet and repeat until all filling has been used.

Chill in the refrigerator if you are making them ahead of time. If you wish to freeze the dumplings for later use, make sure they are not touching, then freeze them until solid and later gather them into a freezer bag. This ensures that you will avoid having one mega-pierogi clump when you are ready to cook them.

TO COOK THE PIEROGI:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the dumplings one at a time, until the surface of the pan is covered with dumplings. Do not overcrowd; you'll have to work in batches. When they are done, about 2-3 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon.

Transfer to bowls and serve sprinkled with green onions, parsley or chives, drizzled with a little melted butter or vinegar or topped with a dab of sour cream.

Alternatively, you can pan-brown the pierogi. Heat some oil in a heavy frying pan and add dumplings in a single layer. When they are golden and in spots, browned, turn and brown other side. Add enough water to reach about 1/4-1/2 inch in depth. Cover and cook 3-4 minutes; remove lid and check for doneness. When pierogi are tender but not mushy to the tooth, and the liquid is evaporated, they are ready.

Note: To make fried onions, saute 2 to 3 thinly sliced onions, in butter in a heavy frying pan until they are limp and lightly browned; add several tablespoons water and cook until the onions are soft and silky, the liquid mostly evaporated. Season with salt and pepper.

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QUICK CHEESY PIEROGI
(USING WONTON WRAPPERS)
Adapted from Deb at Smitten Kitchen
Source: The Floured Apron, 1/20/2008
Time: Roughly two hours, although it truly depends on how quickly (or slowly, in my case) you are able to fill the dumplings.
Makes about six servings

Note: Use whatever mix of cheeses you want. I used the ones I did because they were what I had on hand. If you prefer not to brown the pierogi, you can omit that step.

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
4 or 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 onions, finely chopped
3/4 cup Double Glouster, grated
1/4 cup Pecorino Romano, grated
salt and black pepper to taste
1 or 2 packages of wonton wrappers

Cook the potatoes in a large pot of salted boiling water 20 to 30 minutes, until tender. Drain and mash in a bowl. Once mashed, mix in the cheeses.

Melt the butter in a large heavy frying pan and cook the onions until they soften then lightly brown, darkly browned in spots. Mix the onions in with the potatoes and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Using a round cookie cutter or tracing around a drinking glass with a sharp knife, cut 10 to 12 wrappers at a time into circles, discarding the extra. Working one at a time, brush the edge of the round wrapper with water and place a spoonful of filling in the center. Fold dumpling in half, pressing the edges together to thoroughly seal.

Place each dumpling on a parchment or waxed paper lined baking sheet and repeat until all filling has been used. If you are planning to freeze them, put the baking sheet into the freezer until the dumplings feel solid and then gather them into a resealable bag. When you're ready to eat, cook them directly from the freezer, adding an extra minute of cooking time.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and heat a heavy frying pan over medium heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the frying pan. Add the pierogi to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon directly into the frying pan and lightly brown. It should take about 2 minutes on each side. Serve however you prefer.