Lemon syrniki with raspberry sauce & sour cream

Syrniki are a traditional Russian breakfast food that for some reason no one ever talks about. I am hell-bent on changing this because they are DA BOMB (are we still saying that?) and you should really, really try them. Syrniki (pronounced sYr-nee-key) translates to little cheese cakes in Russian. They’re small pan-fried rounds, primarily made of farmer’s cheese. They’re soft and pillowy but have a satisfying bite that say, pancakes, do not. Syrniki are only lightly sweetened and flavored with a hint of vanilla, so they’re a great vessel for fruits, fruit sauces, jams, honey, Nutella, yogurt, or whatever else you’ve got lying around. When I used to live with my parents, this was my favorite weekend breakfast that my mom would make, and this syrniki recipe is hers.

If you’ve never tried farmer’s cheese, it’s similar to cottage cheese but drier and a bit more sour; it’s available at most supermarkets thanks to Friendship brand, and you can find it in the dairy aisle. It’s used in lots of Russian breakfast foods, spreads, and even desserts. I personally love it and encourage you to try it, too.

A quick fruit sauce can really make a weekend breakfast special, and this raspberry sauce in ah-mazing. It is super, super easy to make, and you can eat the leftovers swirled into your oatmeal or atop buttered toast - it’s basically a 5-minute jam. If you’re not feeling as ambitious, go ahead and eat these with store-bought preserves instead - I won’t judge you.

Lemon Syrniki with Raspberry Sauce & Sour Cream
(Serves 2)
Ingredients:

• 1 7.5-oz package farmer’s cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 4-6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more for dredging
• 3-4 Tbsp. organic canola oil or coconut oil
• Sour cream, to serve

Raspberry sauce:

• 1 6-oz package raspberries
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. water
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. all-purpose flour

Procedure:
1. In a large bowl, stir together farmer’s cheese, egg, vanilla, salt, sugar and lemon zest until combined. Gently fold in 3 tablespoons flour. Do not overmix or dough will become tough; final dough should be light but still hold together, and not sticky to the touch. Fold in another tablespoon or two of flour into the dough, until desired consistency is reached.

2. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a rough 12″ log with about a 2″ circumference.

3. Place 1 tablespoon flour into a small shallow bowl and set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom.
4. Dip a knife into flour and slice log into ¾”-thick medallions. Dredge medallions in flour bowl, shake off access flour, and place into skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.

5. While syrniki are frying, in a small sauce pan, stir together all sauce ingredients. Cover and bring to a simmer. Gently mash raspberries with a fork and simmer, covered, over low heat until sauce thickens, about 4 minutes.
6. Serve syrniki warm, with raspberry sauce and sour cream.

What is your favorite weekend breakfast treat?