Welcome to a savory twist on a beloved Eastern European classic! Syrniki are traditionally sweet cheese pancakes, cherished as a comforting breakfast or dessert. But who says they can't be savory? This recipe transforms them into a wonderfully cheesy and satisfying meal, perfect for any time of day. By combining tangy tvorog (farmer's cheese) with your favorite semi-hard cheese, we create pancakes that are crispy on the outside and delightfully soft and gooey on the inside. Get ready to fall in love with syrniki all over again!
Savory Syrniki with Cheese
Ingredients for Savory Syrniki with Cheese
- 200 g tvorog (farmer's cheese or quark)
- 50 g creamy semi-hard cheese
- 1/2 large egg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for the dough)
- pinch of salt
- vegetable oil for frying
- extra flour for dredging
How to Make Savory Syrniki with Tvorog and Cheese
Sift the tvorog through a sieve to get rid of any lumps.
Break an egg into a bowl and mix it with a fork.
Grate the semi-hard creamy cheese on a fine grater.
Sift the tvorog (a type of farmer’s cheese or quark) through a sieve to get rid of any lumps. The secret to delicious syrniki (small cheese pancakes) lies in the quality of the tvorog. Choose a dry and high-fat variety. If it’s soft and watery, you’ll need to add more flour for the syrniki to hold their shape, which will compromise the taste. There’s a simple way to dry out tvorog: place it in a colander lined with cheesecloth and leave it in the refrigerator overnight. The excess whey will drain, and the tvorog will become drier.
Break the egg into a bowl and whisk it with a fork. Separate half of the egg, add a pinch of salt, and mix. Add this to the dough; you’ll need about 30g of the egg mixture.
Grate the semi-hard creamy cheese on a fine grater. Add the grated cheese to the dough.
Add one tablespoon of all-purpose flour.
Mix the dough well; it should be firm and not runny.
Divide the dough into equal pieces, about the size of a ping-pong ball or slightly smaller.
Add one tablespoon of all-purpose flour. A slightly heaped tablespoon or a level one is fine; you don’t need a lot of flour.
Mix the dough well; it should be firm and not runny. You won’t be able to fry beautiful syrniki from a runny dough.
Divide the dough into equal pieces, about the size of a ping-pong ball or slightly smaller.
With wet hands, roll the pieces of dough into balls.
With wet hands, roll the pieces of dough into balls.
The syrniki balls should be completely coated in flour.
Place the syrniki balls in the pan and press them down with a spatula to flatten them into discs.
Fry the syrniki on the other side and immediately transfer them from the pan to a paper towel.
Pour some all-purpose flour into a bowl and shake it. The syrniki balls should be completely coated in flour. A thin layer of flour coating protects the syrniki from the heat. This will create a golden-brown crust on the outside, with delicious tvorog and cheese on the inside.
Pour 1 tablespoon of refined vegetable oil into a frying pan. Add one tablespoon of butter and heat until the butter melts. Place the syrniki balls in the pan and press them down with a spatula to flatten them into discs.
Fry until golden brown, then carefully flip them over. This will take about 3 minutes per side, or slightly more.
Fry the syrniki on the other side and immediately transfer them from the pan to a paper towel.
Serve the syrniki with cheese warm. Drizzle with smetana or unsweetened yogurt.
Serve the syrniki with cheese warm. Drizzle with smetana (a type of sour cream) or unsweetened yogurt.
And there you have it – perfectly golden and delicious savory syrniki! These cheesy pancakes are incredibly versatile. Serve them warm straight from the pan with a generous dollop of smetana (sour cream) or Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like dill or chives. They make a fantastic quick lunch, a hearty breakfast, or even a delightful appetizer. Don't be afraid to experiment by adding finely chopped herbs or sun-dried tomatoes to the dough for an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy this comforting and unique dish!
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