RecipesMoldovaPlăcintă cu Cartofi (Potato Pie)

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.

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyMedium
Plăcintă cu Cartofi (Potato Pie) - Moldova traditional dish

🧂 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. 1

    For the dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

  2. 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. 3

    For the filling: Boil potatoes until tender. Drain well and mash them until smooth. Set aside.

  4. 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. 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. 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. 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. 8

    Spread the potato filling evenly over the dough base.

  9. 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. 10

    Whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water and brush over the top of the pie for an egg wash.

  11. 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. 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.

🔄 Variations

  • 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.

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