Sirniki Russian Cheese Pancakes Recipes

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 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.

SYRNIKI (Сырники / FARMER'S CHEESE PANCAKES)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks into the farmer's cheese, then stir in the sugar. Mix together 1⁄2 cup of the flour, the baking powder, and the salt and add to the cheese mixture. If the mixture seems dry, add a little heavy cream.
• Place the butter and oil over medium-low heat in a large nonstick skillet and melt the butter.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1⁄4 cup flour onto a plate and dust your hands with some flour, too. With your hands or a spoon, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the batter and set the mound on the floured plate. Use your hands to gently shape it into a round patty about 2 inches in diameter and coat it lightly on all sides with flour. Repeat with the remaining batter.
• Carefully transfer the patties to the pan and cook them slowly until the undersides are browned, about 3 minutes. Turn with a spatula and cook until the other sides are browned, 3 to 4 minutes more. Serve immediately, with sour cream.