Food and Friends: Make Downtime Delicious

Pierogy Kebabs
Pierogies Pad Thai
Pesto Pierogies
Pierogies with Butter & Onions
Buffalo Pierogies

(Family Features) As the temperature begins to drop, it’s the perfect opportunity to gather your circle of friends and bring the entertainment indoors. Whether it’s game day or the season finale of your favorite TV show, these dishes and delectable wine pairings will make any casual get-together that much more memorable … and delicious.

From finger foods to satisfying meals, Mrs. T’s Pierogies has you covered. Flavorful whipped potatoes combined with tasty additions, like cheddar cheese and onion, are gently folded into a pasta shell to create the perfect canvas for your favorite ingredients and spices. Dishes like Buffalo Pierogies and Pierogies Pad Thai are perfect for a crowd, whether you’ve planned ahead or are having an impromptu gathering — just be sure to keep a few boxes of pierogies in your freezer.

The Naked Grape’s new high-quality 3L box wine is the perfect choice to serve alongside these dishes. As the only box wine that is fully recyclable from bag to box, you get to experience the same great tasting wine found in their bottles in an eco-friendly and attractive package that can go where glass can’t. The box is perfect for large gatherings — each box holds four bottles of wine — and can be stored easily on the fridge shelf for up to four weeks. There’s a wine for everyone with four fresh and original varietals: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay.

With pierogies and wine, no matter the occasion, you’re guaranteed a relaxing and tasty time.

For more recipes, visit www.Pierogies.com. And for more information on The Naked Grape, visit www.TheNakedGrapeWine.com.

Pierogy Kebabs

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (12-ounce) box Mrs. T’s Potato & Cheddar Mini Pierogies, thawed
• 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 pound beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 green bell peppers, peeled, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 red bell peppers, peeled, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 yellow and/or orange bell peppers, peeled, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler. Combine olive oil and chili powder in small bowl. Brush pierogies with chili mixture. Toss chicken chunks and beef chunks separately with salt and pepper to taste. Using six (6) 12-inch-long metal skewers, thread meat chunks, pierogies and bell peppers. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
2. Broil skewers three inches from the heat source until meat, pierogies and peppers are cooked through (about 6 to 8 minutes per side). Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Serves
Serves 8

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Wine pairing: The Naked Grape Cabernet Sauvignon

Preparation Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
12 to 16 minutes

Pierogies Pad Thai

Ingredients

• 1 (12-ounce) box Mrs. T’s Mini Potato & Cheddar Mini Pierogies
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin slices
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 cup peanut sauce
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Preparation

1. Boil pierogies according to package directions. Drain. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter; cook eggs until just scrambled, stirring constantly. Remove to bowl. In same skillet, heat peanut oil; over medium heat, cook garlic until lightly browned. With slotted spoon, remove garlic to bowl with eggs.
2. In drippings remaining in skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken until well browned and cooked through, stirring constantly. Add salt and crushed red pepper. Stir in egg mixture, peanut sauce, bean sprouts and cooked pierogies. Toss to mix well. Garnish with chopped peanuts and scallions.

Serves
Serves 4

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Wine pairing: The Naked Grape Chardonnay

Preparation Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Pesto Pierogies

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup prepared pesto
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (12-ounce) box Mrs. T’s Potato & Onion Mini Pierogies
• 1/3 cup roasted red pepper strips, well drained
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Preparation

1. In medium bowl, stir softened cream cheese, pesto and salt until well blended and smooth. Sauté pierogies as package directs.
2. Arrange pierogies on large serving platter; top each pierogy with small dollop of pesto mixture. Top each with some roasted red pepper strips; sprinkle with pine nuts.

Serves
Serves 6

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Wine pairing: The Naked Grape Pinot Noir

Preparation Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 to 15 minutes

Pierogies with Butter & Onions

Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounce) box Mrs. T’s Potato & Cheddar Pierogies
• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1/4 cup melted butter, margarine or olive oil

Preparation

1. Place pierogies in boiling water; cook about 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté onions and butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Place sautéed onions into large bowl. Add cooked pierogies and mix gently.
2. Serve and top with sour cream, if desired.

Serves
Serves 4

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Wine pairing: The Naked Grape Chardonnay

Preparation Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 to 15 minutes

Buffalo Pierogies

Ingredients

• 1 cup oil
• 1/2 cup hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (12-ounce) box Mrs. T’s Potato & Cheddar Mini Pierogies
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Blue cheese dressing
• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine oil, hot sauce and chili powder; toss with frozen pierogies. Coat baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and spread pierogies evenly on the baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 16 to 18 minutes, or until pierogies are puffed and browned. For best results, turn over once halfway through bake time.
2. Serve with blue cheese dressing, carrot sticks and celery sticks.

Serves
Serves 4

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Wine pairing: The Naked Grape Pinot Grigio

Optional: Deep fry frozen pierogies in 350°F oil for 3 minutes or until golden brown, as directed on box.

Preparation Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
18 minutes

SOURCE:
Mrs. T’s Pierogies
The Naked Grape Wine