Leniwe (Polish Lazy Pierogi Dumplings)

Ingredients

• 17.6 oz (500g) twaróg cheese, farmer's cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
• 1 cup (125g flour) (+ more for working with the dough, spooned and leveled not scooped)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• butter (for coating cooked kluski)
• 1 lb (450g) starchy potatoes
• 1 large egg
• 8.8 oz (250g) twaróg cheese (farmer's cheese)
• 3/4 cup (90g) flour (+ more for working with the dough, spooned and leveled not scooped)
• butter (for coating cooked kluski)
• 1/2 cup (115g) butter
• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon (70g) fine breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional (for a sweet meal, omit for savory))

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Instructions for cheese leniwe: ---

2. 2

   Make the dough: Mash the twarog cheese with a fork / potato ricer / potato masher. Add to a large bowl, add eggs, sugar, salt, and flour*. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until combined. The dough should hold its shape but it will be sticky (try not to add any additional flour it will make the leniwe too tough).

3. 3

   --- Instructions for potato and cheese leniwe: ---

4. 4

   Make the dough: Cook the potatoes then mash them with a potato ricer or potato masher. Mash the twarog cheese with a fork / potato ricer / potato masher. Add to a large bowl, add eggs, sugar, salt, and flour*. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until combined. The dough should hold its shape but it will be sticky (try not to add any additional flour it will make the leniwe too tough).

5. 5

   --- Instructions for both types of dumplings: ---

6. 6

   Shape the dumplings: Sprinkle a small amount of flour on a counter or silicone rolling mat. Spoon about 1/4 of the dough onto your rolling surface. Sprinkle your hands with flour and roll it out into a long rope, about 1 - 1 1/2 inch thick (3-4cm) sprinkling with more flour if necessary. Cut at an angle with a knife dipped in flour or a bench scraper into 2-inch (5cm) dumplings. Repeat with the remaining dough.

7. 7

   Cook the leniwe: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the leniwe over low heat in 4 batches. Add the first batch of dumplings to the pot, stir them gently with a wooden spoon to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot. After they float to the surface, cook them for about 2 minutes. Make sure the water is simmering gently and not boiling rapidly or the dumplings may fall apart.

8. 8

   Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon and toss with butter to prevent sticking.

9. 9

   Make buttered breadcrumbs (bułka tarta): Melt the butter in a pan, add the breadcrumbs and sugar. Cook, stirring over medium heat until breadcrumbs are golden in color (2-3 minutes).

10. 10

    Serve the dumpling with buttered breadcrumbs, sprinkle with more sugar (optional).

11. 11

    Enjoy!