Russian Syrniki Food

SYRNIKI RECIPE (RUSSIAN CHEESE PANCAKES)

Steps:

• Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, crumble the farmers cheese into little pieces with a fork. Add 2 eggs and mix well. Add ½ cup flour (reserve ⅓ cup for step 2), sugar, and salt. Mix well, using the fork to break apart any clumps of flour or farmer's cheese. Add raisins, if using. The 'batter' will be thick like dough, not like traditional pancake batter.
• Form the syrniki pancakes: Prepare a small bowl with about ⅓ cup flour - you will use it to dredge the pancakes. Scoop out approximately ¼ cup pancake dough at a time. (See recipe notes below) Use your hands to gently flatten the dough into a small patty. Dredge the pancake with flour on both sides. Shake off the extra flour and set aside until you are ready to cook the syrniki pancakes.
• Cook the syrniki pancakes: In a large skillet, heat 3-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and gently place the flour-dredged cheese pancakes into the pan using a spatula. Cook on medium-low heat for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until each side is golden brown. Place on a paper towel to cool. Do not crowd the pancakes - cook them in 2-3 batches if necessary.
• To serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or drizzle with maple syrup, honey, whipped cream. Or try these syrniki the traditional Russian way - with sour cream and your favorite fruit preserves.

RUSSIAN CHEESE PANCAKES (SYRNIKI)

Steps:

• Beat egg and white sugar together in a bowl until smooth. Whisk in quark cheese, flour, vanilla sugar, and salt. Mix well until dough is thick and sticky.
• Divide dough into 5 to 6 portions. Form into balls and coat with some flour. Flatten slightly to form into discs (syrniki).
• Heat oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add the syrniki; fry until browned, 5 minutes per side.

SIRNIKI (RUSSIAN CHEESE PANCAKES)

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse the farmer�s cheese until it is uniformly crumpled. Add the eggs, sugar, salt, and ½ cup of flour. Pulse or mix to combine. Refrigerate 1 hour, or even overnight. The dough will remain thick but sticky.
• Put approximately 1/3 cup of flour into a bowl, and use this to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands. Using 2 teaspoons, drop 1½ï¿½ balls of dough into the flour, roll them round, and flatten to about 3/8� thick. Place them on a plate in a single layer until all the patties are all formed.
• Heat a frying pan with 1 T. butter, and fry the patties on each side until golden. You will need to add more butter as you go.
• Serve hot with sour cream and/or jam. This recipe will make approximately 20 small patties.
• NOTE: Farmer Cheese is usually found near the cream cheese; my store sells Friendship brand. These days, the packages are just under 1/2 pound (don't you hate this incremental downsizing?), and 2 packages will work fine.
• About the Times, Prep time is mostly frying time, and Passive time is the chilling time.

SYRNIKI

Steps:

• If the cottage cheese is too wet, drain it for at least 2 hours in cheesecloth.
• Before removing it from the cheesecloth, squeeze it well to get rid of its water.
• Place the cottage cheese in a large bowl, and mash it vigorously using a potato masher to rid it of any lumps.
• Add the flour, baking powder, egg yolks, sugar and salt.
• Mix well.
• The dough should be very smooth and should not stick to the hands. If necessary, for example, if the cottage cheese is too oily or too wet, add a little sifted flour.
• Sprinkle the work surface with 3 tablespoons of flour.
• Give the dough the shape of a large sausage with a diameter of about 2 inches (5 cm).
• Cut slices about 1 cm (½ inch) thick.
• Add the two remaining tablespoons of flour on the work surface.
• Pass each slice thus obtained in the flour.
• Heat the butter or oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Fry the syrniki for 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• Serve with smetana, jam, and berries (example: blackcurrant, raspberries, blackberries, and/or cranberries).

RUSSIAN SYRNIKI

Steps:

• Mix together the cottage cheese, eggs, and sugar. Stir in semolina and all-purpose flour, and work into a soft dough. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, and roll into a 1-inch thick log. Slice the log into 8 pieces, then pat each piece in additional flour to form a patty.
• Heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Fry the syrniki in hot oil until golden brown on each side, 3 to 4 minutes per side.