National Pierogi Day Oct. 8 – Make Your Own With This Recipe From Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

From Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer and posted on the Disney Parks Blog.

These little stuffed dumpling are the ultimate comfort food – and for National Pierogi Day we’re sharing this recipe from the chefs at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. While Poland isn’t one of the World Showcase countries, it’s been a part of the festival with a marketplace since 1996, and there’s always been pierogi on the menu—one of the festival’s top sellers every single year.

For this year’s 20th celebration of the festival, the chefs created this new version, stuffed with sauerkraut and served with a rich pork goulash.

Pork Goulash Pierogi
Serves 6 to 8

Pork Goulash

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 large Spanish onion, diced
• 2 pounds pork butt, diced, exterior pieces of fat trimmed
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups sauerkraut, thoroughly drained

Sauerkraut Pierogi

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water or chicken stock
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups sauerkraut, thoroughly drained
• 2 tablespoons butter

For pork goulash:

1. Heat canola oil in large braising pan over medium high heat. Add onions and caramelize until lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Season diced pork with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon paprika.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic and seasoned pork to onions. Sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add bay leaves, caraway seeds, pepper flakes and remaining paprika. Sauté until meat begins to brown.
5. Add tomato paste and stir until all ingredients are well coated. Dust mixture with flour and stir. Add chicken stock and stir. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
6. Add sauerkraut and continue to simmer for about 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender, stirring occasionally and adding water or chicken stock if mixture needs to be thinned. Goulash should be thick but more sauce-like in consistency. Remove bay leaves.
7. Remove from heat. Cover and set aside until serving.

For sauerkraut pierogi:

1. Combine flour and salt in large bowl of standing mixer. Blend on low speed using bread hook attachment.
2. Add chicken stock, eggs and butter. Mix on medium speed until dough forms into ball. Add a bit of water or flour as needed. (Dough can also be made in large food processor.) Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for about 30 minutes.
3. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. On lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into individual pierogi with floured 3-inch to 4-inch biscuit cutter or mold.
4. Place 1 full tablespoon of drained sauerkraut in center of pierogi. Do not overfill. Moisten edge of half with water and fold over, pressing edges together to form seal. Repeat step with remaining dough and sauerkraut, keeping pierogi covered with damp towel while assembling others.
5. In large pot, bring 2 quarts salted water to boil. Reduce to simmer.
6. Working in batches, cook pierogi for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they surface. Remove from water with slotted spoon and place on tray or plate to dry.
7. Melt butter in large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat until butter just begins to brown. Reduce heat to medium and add pierogi to pan (number depends on size of pan/skillet). Cook until lightly browned. Remove from pan and keep warm until all are cooked, adding more butter if needed.

To serve:

1. Reheat pork goulash to sauce consistency, adding liquid (water, chicken stock, or red wine) to thin if necessary.
2. Place 3 to 4 cooked pierogi on serving plates and top with goulash. Serve immediately.

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Scott

Co-Owner / Webmaster / Business Relations / PT Writer
As co-owner and co-creator of The Main Street Mouse.Working in a technical support position for 18 years, it was time for a change.As the Webmaster and Project Planner, I spend most of my time researching everything from the latest Disney News, technology advances and of course keeping up on all the Marvel news that comes out.I never considered myself a writer but I’ve come to like blogging and sharing news with all.I feel blessed everyday that I get to spend my days working with my best friend and love of my life while we continue to grow and expand what started as a hobby all those years ago.

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