Syrniki: a simple Russian delight to cook with friends
Syrniki (сырники in Russian) are classic Russian pancakes made with tvorog (творог), a type of fresh cheese.
Typically enjoyed for breakfast, they’re often served with jam or sour cream.
If tvorog is unavailable, cottage cheese or quark make excellent substitutes.
This delicacy holds a special place in my heart because the old lady who hosted me in Saint Petersburg would make it for me almost every day.
Trust me when I say they’re absolutely delicious and one of my all-time favorite Russian dishes.
This recipe doesn’t require much time and is quite simple, though some steps might be a bit tricky. It’s important to get the quantities right and ensure they don’t lose their shape.
As always, practice makes perfect!
Some Notes Before Getting Started
- TVOROG AND FLOUR
Choosing the right type of tvorog (or cottage cheese) is crucial. It shouldn’t be too wet. If your tvorog has excess liquid, place it in a colander lined with cheesecloth and gently squeeze out the extra moisture.
Opt for smooth, creamy tvorog, as syrniki made with grainy cottage cheese may not turn out as tasty (due to the noticeable whole grains in the texture) and are also harder to maintain their shape.
One tip for achieving a good texture is to mix the cottage cheese until it’s relatively smooth and homogeneous. You can do this with a fork, a pestle or a blender.
Be careful not to add too much flour, as it can compromise the cheesy texture.
- COOKING THEM TO PERFECTION
Syrniki tend to burn easily if not cooked carefully, usually due to too much sugar, which caramelizes and burns them quickly. If you’re worried about your syrniki burning, consider reducing the amount of sugar in the batter. You can always sweeten them afterward by serving them with jam, honey, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Cooking them over high heat will cause them to burn on the outside while staying raw inside.
The key is to cook them on medium heat for about 7 minutes per side, directly in the pan with a lid on. This method ensures they’re fully cooked and evenly golden-brown.
Ingredients
- 200 g tvorog/cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 heaped table spoon wheat-flour
- 1 or 2 teaspoons sugar
- a pinch of salt
- oil for frying
Steps
- In a bowl, mix the tvorog, egg, and salt, beating them together until smooth.
- Dust your cooking surface with flour. Shape the dough into a log and cut it into equal-sized pieces, about 2 cm thick. Coat each piece in flour on both sides, then gently flatten with your palm to form a round shape.
- After shaping the syrniki, add a small amount of oil to the pan and heat it on medium heat. Then add the syrniki to the pan and cook with the lid on until they are golden on both sides, which shouldn’t take more than 7 minutes per side.
- Your syrniki are ready to serve! Enjoy them with sour cream, syrup, jam, or any topping you like.
Приятного аппетита!
This article was brought to you by Elle, currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz Riga.
