Created: July 18, 2021. Revised: February 21st, 2025
Theres no doubt that as children we are pushed and encouraged to chase our creative dreams. When did that narrative stop? That innate calling to live a life daring to be transparent is unfortunately often suppressed by societies judgement. Books are left unwritten, movies are left without endings, and dreams are simply a place you go in the middle of the night when nobody is watching. Maybe I’m naive. Maybe there are people who don’t have those pacing feelings… to get the words out in the middle of the night or embark on a plane to Belgium in search of that long lost muse (you know who you are). And to them I say… lucky you. There are some days where I feel like I could fill an entire book with concoctions from middle and eastern Europe. No doubt, it is my favorite section of the European wonderland. It’s the flickering alleys, filled with oil lamp porch lights that take me to another world- and today the star is Pierogi.
Let Your Kitchen Be Your Safe Place
Allow your kitchen to become your safe place. The place you can go to be wild, for at least a few hours each day. We need that as humans, to remove all creative restraints and think the things we want to think. I have that belief that you can create anything you see in your mind. Whether you are creating something as simple of an wholesome polish pierogi or you’re getting on stage to tell jokes you’ve had scribbled in your phone for the lat 4 years… it all matters.
You cannot mess up in the kitchen, especially when you’re cooking alone. Every “mess-up” is just a turn down a different road to a new path. Rewire your brain, nothing is perfect and everything is beautiful. Next time you step into your kitchen to try one of my recipes, I implore you to look at it through new eyes. Cooking does not have to be this mundane chore that drives you to call your favorite take-out place. For me, it’s a tangible reset button. It’s isolated moments of peace- a house full of lit candles, windows flung wide open, and my favorite sweatshirt. Hell, if you’re really feeling wild, I dare you to find an Eastern European Spotify playlist to dance to (…I don’t do that). Enjoy the cathartic process of creating dough, and feel the flour between your fingers. That feeling takes me back to being a child, where creativity was a way of life.
Secret Ingredient: Nutritional Yeast
Whether you are vegan, or simply want to reduce your animal product consumption… these dumplings are a MUST! Yes, I’m going to yell because I feel very passionately about these little dumplings of joy. I would encourage you to make an exuberant amount of these and freeze some, because you are going to be craving them for weeks. There are a few ingredients that level these up. By now, you know how much I love nutritional yeast AKA hippie dust. If you’ve never heard of this magical, healthy, cheesy ingredient- check out my post on Mexican Street Corn for more nutritional yeast recipes! This ingredient is imperative when adding a dose of cheesy to your pierogi.
- Dairy-Free Cheese Flavor– Adds a cheesy, umami taste to dishes without any dairy.
- High in Protein– Contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source.
- Low in Calories & Fat– Nutrient-dense but light, making it a great addition to any meal.
- Versatile in Cooking– Stir into soups, blend into sauces, or use as a seasoning.
- Rich in B Vitamins– Often fortified with B12, making it a great addition for plant-based diets.
Pierogi 2 Ways
I couldn’t decide between two classic pierogi fillings… and when you can’t choose? Make both.
Caramelized Onion & Potato: Creamy mashed potatoes combined with caramelized onions for a filling that’s smooth, buttery, and deeply satisfying. Best served with vegan sour cream and fresh dill.
Mushroom & Sauerkraut: Mushrooms and tangy sauerkraut create a bold, umami-packed filling.
When you can’t choose, make both.
