Pierogi Ruskie -- Polish 'ravioli' With Potato,cheese,onion Stuffing

Just say the word 'pierogi' to a Pole and watch them drool. These dumplings are such an important part of being Polish that they even have their own patron saint, 'Swiety Jacek z pierogami'! roughly equivalent to 'Holy Cow'! or somesuch. (St Jacek was apparently a 13th century monk.)It takes time to turn these everyday ingredients into a feast, so take your time. This is not a recipe for the 'quick and easy' section of a cookbook, so make plenty if you do embark on it. Combine dough ingredients, knead ill it does not stick to the hands. Divide into four lots, roll them out thinly one at a time. Cover bowl while working to stop dough drying out. Cut rounds, about 2 to 2.5 inches. Place a scant spoon of filling (just mash all ingredients together) in each, fold over to get a half-moon shape. DO NOT OVERRSTUFF: the filling expands! Press edges down securely -- I use a fork to seal them so they don't come unstuck in the pot. Every cook has a signature way of sealing! In a shallow wide pan, bring salted water to the boil. Drop batches of pierogi in. When they rise, cook for about 4 minutes. Get them out with a strainer spoon, drain well. Pour melted butter or pork dripping with crackling bits over pierogi. Serve piping hot. Optional: serve sour cream on the side. Any left over can be warmed through in a frying pan with some butter.

My Polish mother loved these, but was not keen on the work involved. So she made them the size of small Cornish pasties. When we were invited to the neighbours for a pierogi party, I was amazed to find tiny miniatures served. How mean, I thought. Just as well I did not say so, for once. I discovered many years later that Polish cooks pride themselves on making pierogi as small and delicate as they can -- a mark of refinement! I sent this treasured family recipe to the BBC World Service in a bid to win a copy of Maya Angelou's highly entertaining collection of stories about food she has eaten and/or cooked, 'Hallelujah! The Welcome Table'. Mission accomplished!