Cottage Cheese Pancakes – Syrniki

This twist on the classic Romanian papanasi uses telemea cheese for a savory-sweet bite you didn’t know you needed. With just grated telemea, a splash of water, egg, sugar, and flour, you’ll mix a slightly sticky dough and shape it into small rounds or donuts. Fry until golden and serve warm—top them with sour cream or jam.

The salty tang of the cheese contrasts beautifully with a sweet dollop of jam, offering a flavor experience that feels both comforting and unexpected. Quick, simple, and memorable.

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  Grate the telemea cheese using a coarse grater.
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  Add an egg.
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  Add a tablespoon of sugar.
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  Add 100 ml of water.
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  Add the flour and mix first with a spoon and then with your hands.
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  Knead the dough. It should be slightly sticky.
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  Form small balls, roll them lightly in flour, then use a glass to shape them into rounds. Place the glass so that the dough ball is inside, then rotate the glass a few times.
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  Do the same with the rest of the dough. I ended up with 12 dough balls.
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  Pour oil into a frying pan, turn on the stove, and let the oil heat up for a minute. Then transfer the pancakes to the pan and fry them over low heat, with the lid on.
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  After a few minutes, flip the pancakes over and continue frying.
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  The cottage cheese pancakes are ready. Enjoy!