Plăcintă cu Cartofi
Potato Pie
A savory Moldovan pie with a flaky dough filled with a seasoned mashed potato mixture, often enjoyed as a snack or light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g All-purpose flour
- 7 g Yeast(dry active yeast)
- 250 ml Warm water
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 50 ml Vegetable oil(for dough)
- 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and quartered)
- 1 large Onion(finely chopped)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil(for sautéing)
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill(chopped (optional))
- 1 for egg wash Egg
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
For the dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- 2
Add flour, salt, and 50ml vegetable oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- 3
For the filling: Boil potatoes until tender. Drain well and mash them until smooth. Set aside.
- 4
While potatoes are boiling, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- 5
Add the sautéed onions to the mashed potatoes. Stir in chopped dill (if using), salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well.
💡 Tip: Ensure the potato mixture is well-seasoned. - 6
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two portions, one slightly larger than the other.
💡 Tip: The larger portion will be the base. - 7
Roll out the larger dough portion into a rectangle large enough to line a baking sheet or a 9x13 inch baking dish. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet/dish.
- 8
Spread the potato filling evenly over the dough base.
- 9
Roll out the second dough portion to cover the filling. Crimp the edges to seal, or fold the border of the bottom dough over the top dough.
💡 Tip: Ensure the pie is sealed well to prevent the filling from leaking. - 10
Whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water and brush over the top of the pie for an egg wash.
- 11
Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and cooked through.
- 12
Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer filling, you can add a tablespoon of butter or a dollop of sour cream to the mashed potatoes.
- ✓If you don't have fresh dill, a pinch of dried dill can be used, but the flavor will be less intense.
- ✓This pie can be served warm or at room temperature.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add sautéed mushrooms or a bit of cheese (like telemea or brânză) to the potato filling.
- For a sweeter version, use a sweet potato filling with a touch of cinnamon.