🥟 Polish · Main · Medium difficulty · Vegetarian
Cheese Pyzy
A vibrant Polish main built around cheese, seasoned with potatoes and potato starch.
- Prep time
- 18 min
- Cook time
- 42 min
- Total time
- 1h
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 379 kcal
- Protein
- 19 g
- Carbs
- 16 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Course
- Main
About this Polish steamed dish
Cheese Pyzy is a Polish main built around cheese. It takes about 1h from start to finish, 18 minutes of prep and 42 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.
Cooking method: steamed dish. Difficulty is rated medium. Vegetarian, and marked gluten-free in our data.
Good for: light & low calorie, everyday healthy.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 250 g cheese, sliced or crumbled
- 500 g potatoes
- 1 cup potato starch
- 1 egg
- 1 onion
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Arrange the cheese on a heatproof plate and scatter over the potatoes.
- Heat
- Off, no heat yet
- Look for
- Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
- Why it matters
- Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
- Avoid
- Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.
Step 2. Steam over boiling water for 17 minutes until just cooked through.
- Heat
- Medium, with a steady flow of steam
- Look for
- Food is just cooked through, tender but not collapsing.
- Why it matters
- Gentle, steady heat softens tough fibres and lets flavours blend without drying things out.
- Avoid
- Over-steaming. Check a minute early and keep the water from boiling dry.
Step 3. Heat a little oil until shimmering.
- Heat
- Medium to high
- Look for
- The oil shimmers and flows like water; a drop of water sizzles instantly.
- Why it matters
- Food added to a properly hot pan sears and browns instead of steaming and sticking.
- Avoid
- Adding food to a cold pan: it sticks, turns grey and soaks up oil.
Step 4. Pour the hot oil over the top with the potato starch and egg for an instant sizzle.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 5. Garnish with pinch nutmeg and serve with steamed rice.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Do not over-steam - check a minute early.
Equipment you will need
- Steamer or lidded pot
- Heatproof plate
- Small pan for oil
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 379 kcal, 19 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate and 27 g fat. Roughly 20% of the energy comes from protein, 17% from carbohydrate and 63% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Cheese Pyzy
Substitutions and variations
- Set food above the water line in a steamer or colander so it cooks by steam, not boiling.
- Add a few slices of ginger or lemon to the water for subtle flavour.
- Season lightly before steaming and serve sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions about Cheese Pyzy
How long does Cheese Pyzy take to make?
It takes about 1h in total: 18 minutes of prep and 42 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 379 kcal, with 19 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate and 27 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.
Is Cheese Pyzy gluten-free?
It is marked gluten-free in our data. Still check labels on stock, sauces and spice blends, which can contain gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.
Can I make Cheese Pyzy ahead or freeze it?
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Most baked and saucy dishes freeze well for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing crisp items and salads.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.