Why I learned how to make Pierogi, by Gabby from New York City (age 14)

I love to cook, and not just baking cookies, but putting together an entire meal. I know it is one way that I can help my family, besides I enjoy the whole creative process. Because I have a busy schedule as a freshman in high school, a performing dancer and a competitive horseback rider, I usually only cook on holidays, summers and weekends. When I was little I loved to help my mom bake, and it became our special time together to “create” in the kitchen. As I got older, I became fascinated with cooking shows and regularly watch Iron Chef and all my favorite chefs on television. I even collect cookbooks. Two summers ago, I decided to take some cooking classes and with two friends and our mothers we took a series of classes at a cooking school in East Hampton, Long Island called Loaves and Fishes. We learned how to make an entire Vietnamese dinner one night and homemade pasta dinner on another night.

However, the most valuable recipe I have learned to date is how to make my Ukrainian grandmother’s family recipe of Pierogi (stuffed with potatoe and sauerkraut). After making the dumpling dough from scratch, we let it rise a bit, and roll it out on a floured board into thin sheets. We fill each dumpling (we usually make the filling the night before). We pinch the dumplings in a special way to give them an unusual shape. It is not a light meal, and is also time consuming so we usually only eat it once a year – Christmas dinner with a roast and vegetables. I am the only person in my family (beside my grandmother) that knows how to make the dough, and create these pretty little dumplings. I know it really makes my grandmother happy that I have learned how to make this traditional Ukrainian dish because she knows that I can pass it onto my children and keep the tradition alive in our family. I have included some pictures of me and my friend Gabrielle (she also loves to cook and was one of the friends who I took the cooking class with) making a batch of Pierogi together this year! Me and my mom enjoy your site, and keep up the good work.

Sincerely, Gabby

Do you have any fun stories and photos to share about cooking with YOUR kids?  I hope to share at least one reader story every week and can’t wait to hear about your adventures in the kitchen with your kids. Here is what you need to do.

p.s.  Pass it on!