Ukrainian syrniki — sweet cottage-cheese pancakes, the classic breakfast of Eastern Europe

Syrniki are the most beloved pancakes of Ukrainian (and Russian) cuisine: soft balls of cottage-cheese dough, fried until they get a golden, crispy crust, with a soft and creamy heart. They are made quickly with few ingredients and are the ideal weekend breakfast — warm, with a spoon of yogurt, a little honey or jam on top.

INGREDIENTS:

• 500 g fresh cottage cheese
• 2 eggs
• 3–4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 100 g wheat flour (plus a little for rolling)
• 1 pinch of salt
• Sunflower oil for frying

For serving: yogurt or sour cream, honey, jam or fresh fruit

PREPARATION:

1. Put the cottage cheese in a large bowl and mash it with a fork until it becomes soft and creamy; if it is very wet, drain it a little in a cloth.

2. Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt and mix well with a spoon.

3. Add the flour little by little and mix until a soft dough forms that does not stick to your hands (add 1 tablespoon of flour if the dough is too soft).

4. With floured hands, form balls the size of a walnut and flatten them slightly into pancake shapes.

5. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the pancakes 2–3 minutes on each side, until they take on a golden colour.

6. Take them out onto kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.

7. Serve warm with yogurt or sour cream, honey, jam or fresh fruit.

Preparation time: about 10 minutes | Cooking time: about 15 minutes | Servings: 4 (about 12 pancakes)