Ukrainian Cheese Blintzes Recipes

UKRAINIAN CHEESE BLINTZES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together cheese, eggs, 3/4 cup flour, sugar, and salt. Place baking soda in a small bowl and add vinegar; mixture will fizz. Add baking soda mixture to bowl with cheese mixture. Using a hand-held electric mixer, mix until firm and solid. Stir in raisins.
• Place remaining 1/2 cup flour in a small, shallow dish. Working in batches (about four at a time), scoop out cheese mixture using a tablespoon, and, using floured hands, form into a 2 1/4-inch ball. Roll ball in flour mixture and pat using your hands to form a patty shape and remove excess flour.
• Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add patties and cook until golden brown, turning once, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

NALYSNYKY (UKRAINIAN CREPES)

Steps:

• TO MAKE CREPES.
• In a bowl, using a hand held electric mixer, beat eggs until light and fluffy.
• Add milk, water, flour and salt and beat until all ingredients are incorporated and batter is smooth.
• Heat a 6 inch frying pan on medium heat.
• Butter the pan lightly and pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the pan, swirling the pan until the batter spreads evenly in the pan.
• Cook crepes on medium heat for about 1 minute or until lightly browned.
• Bake on 1 side only, do not turn over.
• Continue to cook the crepes, buttering the frying pan each time.
• Place the cooked crepes on a platter and keep warm in the oven at 250°F.
• TO MAKE CHEESE FILLING.
• Place the cottage cheese in a cheese cloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
• Transfer the cheese to a mixing bowl.
• Add egg yolks, cream salt, and dill weed and mix to blend well.
• Remove warmed crepes from the oven and increase oven temperature to 350°F.
• Separate and place 1 crepe with the brown side down on a smooth surface.
• Spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon of cheese filling near one edge of the crepe.
• Start rolling the crepe over the filling, tuck in each side to prevent the filling from falling out, and continue to roll.
• Continue to fill and roll the remaining crepes.
• Place the finished nalysnyky into a lightly buttered 13 inch by 9 inch oven proof casserole dish in layers.
• Dot each layer with some butter.
• Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 20 minutes.
• Serve hot with melted butter, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.

COTTAGE CHEESE BLINTZES

Steps:

• Whisk together the eggs, milk, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a bowl; gradually add in the flour, whisking to remove all lumps.
• Brush a small skillet with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, and heat over medium-high heat. Pour about 2 tablespoons of batter per crepe into the heated skillet, and tilt the pan to completely cover the surface with batter. Crepes should be about 5 inches in diameter. Cook the crepes until golden on the bottom, and set but not wet on top, 1 to 2 minutes per crepe. Don't flip the crepes. Set the cooked crepes aside.
• Mix the cottage cheese, egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl until very well combined. To fill, place a crepe in front of you on a work surface with the cooked side up, and place about 1/4 cup of cheese filling in the center of the crepe. Fold the right and left edges of the crepe over the filling, and roll the crepe over to seal the filling in, making a compact little roll filled with cheese. Set the blintzes aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, and place the filled blintzes into the hot skillet. Pan-fry the blintzes until golden brown on each side, about 2 minutes per side. Eat hot or cold.

HOMEMADE COTTAGE CHEESE

Steps:

• Place milk in large saucepan and stir in yogurt and lemon juice; cover and let stand at room temperature for 3 days. Mixture should be solid.
• Place saucepan of solid milk mixture over medium-low heat and cook for 20 minutes. Line a large bowl with cheesecloth and pour milk mixture into prepared bowl. Lift cheesecloth to drain.
• Tie filled cheesecloth around kitchen faucet and let mixture continue to drain overnight. Keep cottage cheese refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use, up to 3 days.