Brimsen pierogi: filled dumplings made from potato dough

• The dough is made from potatoes and flour.
• A typical filling combines bryndza with potatoes and herbs.
• Bacon and sour cream may be added as toppings.
• Recipes vary from place to place.

For pierogi, the dough is made from grated potatoes, rolled out and cut into circles. The filling is placed in the middle, then the edges are sealed. The dumplings are cooked in water. Bryndzové halušky, by contrast, are made by cooking the dough in small pieces and mixing them with cheese, rather than enclosing a filling.

The two dishes share key ingredients, but present them differently: Bryndzové halušky are soft and easy to eat with a spoon, while pierogi are recognizable as individual filled dumplings. Both are part of the hearty Slovak culinary tradition. Their shared foundation, bryndza and sheep’s cheese, defines their flavor.

One published recipe variation mixes bryndza with grated potatoes and chives or spring onions. Sour cream, fried bacon and herbs can be added to the finished pierogi. These are ingredients used in one possible recipe, not a fixed requirement at every restaurant. If you avoid meat, ask specifically about bacon and the fat used for frying; if you have a dairy intolerance, bear in mind that the filling contains cheese.

If you would rather try potato dough without a filling, ask for lokše. The article on traditions and folk culture explores the role of sheep farming, food and crafts. For culinary detours on a tour, take a look at the regions of Slovakia. A recipe for filled dumplings with sheep’s cheese gives details on the ingredients and preparation.

What is in the filling?

Bryndza is the defining ingredient. One recipe variation also uses potatoes and herbs; other ingredients may vary from kitchen to kitchen.

How are they different from halušky?

Pierogi are sealed dumplings with a filling. Halušky are small pieces of potato dough that are mixed with bryndza after cooking.

Can you get the pierogi without bacon?

It depends on how they are prepared and what toppings are used. Before ordering, ask whether they contain bacon and whether bacon fat is used when serving them.

Is bryndza a sheep’s cheese?

It is traditionally made from sheep’s milk and has a salty, robust flavor. Because the filling contains cheese, it is not automatically suitable for people with a dairy intolerance.

What is served with them?

Depending on the variation, they may be served with sour cream, fried bacon and herbs. The drinks selection also varies from restaurant to restaurant.