Many years ago, my wife and I attempted to embrace her Polish heritage and start a Christmas pierogi-making tradition: mashing potatoes, making the dough, attempting to roll them in such a way that they wouldn’t explode all over the damn place. It’s hard work, but Derek Shampine at Upstate Pierogi Co. makes it look easy. Shampine made a pandemic pivot from tour managing to lovingly re-creating the dumplings of his childhood, hand-making classics like Pierogi Ruskie and experiments like Beef Bulgogi and Philly Cheesesteak. Next time, skip the Mrs. T’s in the Kroger freezer and seek out the real deal.
Best Pierogies
