Welcome to a delightful and savory variation of a beloved Eastern European classic! Syrniki, traditionally sweet cheese pancakes, are getting a healthy and flavorful makeover with the addition of fresh spinach. These savory Syrniki are incredibly versatile – perfect for a wholesome breakfast, a quick brunch, or even a light dinner. Made from tvorog (farmer's cheese), they are tender, protein-rich, and have a wonderfully satisfying texture. This recipe will show you how to create these beautiful golden pancakes that are sure to become a new favorite in your home.
Syrniki with Cottage Cheese and Spinach
Ingredients for Syrniki with Cottage Cheese and Spinach
- 200 g (about 7 oz) tvorog (farmer's cheese or dry curd cottage cheese)
- 50 g (about 1.75 oz) spinach
- 1 chicken egg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- salt to taste
- vegetable oil for frying
How to Make Syrniki with Cottage Cheese and Spinach
Press the cottage cheese through a fine sieve to get rid of lumps.
Crack a small chicken egg into the sifted cottage cheese.
Squeeze the spinach thoroughly; you don't need extra water in the syrniki.
Press the tvorog (a type of farmer’s cheese, you can also use dry curd cottage cheese) through a fine sieve to eliminate any lumps. Use fresh, dry tvorog so the syrniki (small cheese pancakes, a traditional Eastern European dish) are easy to shape and you don’t have to add too much flour.
Crack a small chicken egg into the sifted tvorog. Add salt to taste, preferably fine salt.
Pluck the spinach leaves from the stems, as the stems are tough and not suitable for eating. Wash the spinach thoroughly, place it in a small pot, and cover with boiling water. Quickly bring to a boil and then drain in a sieve. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Squeeze the spinach thoroughly to remove all excess water, as you don’t want it in the syrniki.
Add the chopped spinach to the dough.
Add the all-purpose flour to the dough.
Mix the dough well.
Finely chop the cooled, squeezed spinach. Add the chopped spinach to the dough. If you are using frozen spinach, take it out of the freezer in advance and let it thaw in a colander or sieve to allow the water to drain.
Add the all-purpose flour to the dough.
Mix the dough well. It’s now ready, and you can start frying the syrniki.
Place the dough on a floured surface and roll it into a log, about 4 centimeters thick.
Sprinkle some all-purpose flour on a cutting board. Place the dough on the flour and roll it into a log about 4 centimeters thick. Coat the log in flour.
With a wide knife, cut the log into pieces about 1 centimeter thick.
Fry over medium heat for about 3 minutes until golden brown.
Flip the syrniki and fry on the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
Using a wide knife, cut the log into pieces about 1 centimeter thick. Form round syrniki and coat them in flour on all sides.
Heat a heavy-bottomed, non-stick skillet. Add 1-2 tablespoons of refined vegetable oil and heat it up. Place the syrniki in the hot oil. Fry over medium heat for about 3 minutes until a golden crust forms.
Flip the syrniki and fry on the other side for another 2-3 minutes, until both sides are golden brown.
Remove the cooked syrniki from the pan and place them on a paper towel.
Remove the cooked syrniki from the skillet and place them on a paper towel. Let them rest for a couple of minutes to allow the paper to absorb any excess oil. For a sauce, mix unsweetened yogurt with a pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and finely chopped green onions. Serve the cottage cheese and spinach syrniki warm, drizzled with the yogurt sauce.
And there you have it – a plate of warm, golden, and utterly delicious savory Syrniki with cottage cheese and spinach! We hope you enjoy this unique take on a traditional dish. They are best served fresh and warm, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two and gently reheated. Feel free to experiment with other herbs like dill or parsley in the dough, or serve them with different sauces. Enjoy your culinary journey into the world of savory pancakes!
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