Polish potato dumpling

I was huffing and puffing on the theadmill, going nowhere and decided to end my misery. No! I didn't do anything silly. Instead, I watched the Martha Stewart program to distract myself from the pain and saw her making this humongous potato dumpling. That really did distract me indeed. Very soon and unknowingly, I clocked 5 km , eyes glued to the TV the entire time. No sweat !

That food item that made me all worked up was Polish dumpling, mashed potato wrapped in dough. The final product shown was served with melted butter. But since I have a fine block of blue cheese with no occasion to be used, so blue cheese went into the sauce of the day. For a professional touch,I garnish it with grated parmesan ( toasted pine nuts is another good idea )

6 med potatoes, peeled,quartered
1 diced onion
1 c. grated parmesan
Dash of salt and pepper
Milk
DOUGH:
2 eggs
Dash of salt
1/4 c. water
3 1/4 c. flour

Sauce :
Cream of mushroom, 1/2 cup
1/2 water
Suitable amount of blue cheese

Microwave potatoes for 10 minutes and mash. Fry onion in olive oil with salt and pepper. Add to mashed potatoes. Add parmesan. Mash some more. Add a drop or two of milk to help mixture form. Avoid making it too creamy.

Prepare half a can of cream of mushroom, add the same portion of water, mix well. Add blue cheese into cream of mushroom. Heat until it begins to bubble. Use it as sauce for the dumpling. ( If you decide not to cheat, make the sauce from scratch with milk,flour,butter and blue cheese, of course )

Dough: In a separate bowl, beat egg , salt, water and then flour. Mix until dough leaves the side of bowl. Dough should be medium soft. Place on a floured board and knead until smooth. Roll out. Use a cup and cut circles .Using one hand, compress potato to tight ball and fill dough with about a handful of filling.

Fold dumpling in half. Press sides together to seal, wetting edges if needed. Let stand for 1/2 hour so they seal well ( I leave it in the fridge until ready to cook. Alternatively, freeze in tupperware for the next time. Cook from frozen state in boiling water ). Add to salted boiling water. Cook a few at a time until they rise to the top. Remove with slotted spoon.

Transfer to cheese sauce . Coat. Serve. Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.

Tip : if blue cheese is not your thing, stir fry boiled dumpling in garlic and butter. Delicious just the same.