These are a traditional Polish treat of little dumplings filled with savory potato filling. Try them served with applesauce in the conventional manner or on top of sauteed onions or sauerkraut. Makes about 3 dozen dumplings.
Ingredients:
For the potato filling:
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
salt and pepper, to taste
For the dough:
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons oil
1 1/2 cups flour, divided, and more as needed
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
- For the filling. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add plenty of salt.
- Over high heat bring the potatoes to a boil and turn down to a simmer.
- Cook for 20 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Meanwhile in a large pan over medium heat saute the onions with the oil until soft—about 7 minutes. Let sit until the potatoes are done.
- When the potatoes are done drain them and put them in the pan with the onions.
- Mash the potatoes in the pan with a potato masher or a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- For the dough. Pour the water and oil into a large bowl.
- Add one cup of flour. Stir with a fork until the dough comes together. Form into a ball with your hands.
- Move the ball onto the counter and knead with the remaining 1/2 cup of flour until very smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Add additional flour if necessary.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Roll half the dough out until very thin about 1/16 of an inch. Sprinkle with flour and cut into 4-inch circles with a circle cookie cutter.
- Keep the circles in the refrigerator until all the circles are cut. Roll out the remaining dough and cut.
- Fill each circle with about 2 tablespoons filling. Crimp the edges with a fork.
- After all the dumplings are made drop about half of them into the pot of boiling water and cook until they float, about 7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and cook the remaining dumplings.
- Serve boiled like this or fry until crisp in a small amount of oil in a skillet.