Syrniki (Ukrainian Farmer's Cheese Pancakes)

Photo: Off-shell · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Golden, crisp-edged little pancakes made mostly of tangy farmer's cheese, creamy inside and lightly sweet, served with sour cream and warm berries.

Ingredients

• 15 oz farmer's cheese
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup sour cream, to serve
• 8 oz frozen berries, warmed, to serve

From your pantry: ¾ cup flour plus ½ cup for dredging, 3 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vinegar, ½ cup raisins, ¼ cup oil.

Instructions

1. Mash the farmer's cheese with the eggs, sugar and salt until fairly smooth (a few small lumps are fine). Stir in ¾ cup flour.
2. Stir the baking soda and vinegar together in a cup so it fizzes, then mix it into the batter along with the raisins.
3. Warm the berries in a small pan over low heat until juicy, 5 minutes.
4. Put the dredging flour in a shallow bowl. Drop heaped tablespoons of batter into it, dust the tops and, with floured hands, shape into ½-inch-thick patties.
5. Fry in 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat until deep golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side, adding oil between batches. Serve warm with sour cream and berries.

Tip: The cheese must be dry; if yours is wet, press it in a towel for 10 minutes. True tvorog is sold at Eastern European markets, but supermarket farmer's cheese is the easiest match.

Nutrition per serving

Good for

Adapted from Natasha's Kitchen.

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