Syrniki
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Syrniki (Template:Langx; Template:Langx; Template:Langx)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> are fried Eastern Slavic quark (curd cheese) pancakes. They are a part of Belarusian, Russian, Ukrainian, Latvian (biezpiena plācenīši) and Lithuanian cuisine (varškėčiai).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Russia, they are also known as tvorozhniki (творо́жники).
Etymology
The name syrniki is derived from the Slavic word syr (сир), meaning a soft curd cheese.<ref name=aslanov/><ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Ukrainian language retains the old Slavic sense of the word, as in domashnii syr (домашній сир, literal translation 'domestic cheese'), whereas in Russian another old Slavic word for curd cheese, tvorog (творог), is used.<ref name=":0" />
Preparation
Syrnyky or tvorozhniki are made from creamy tvorog,<ref name="jones" /> mixed with flour, eggs and sugar, sometimes adding vanilla extract.<ref name=mendelson/> Pot cheese or farmer's cheese or quark is suggested as a substitute for the tvorog.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=mendelson/> The soft mixture is shaped into cakes, which are pan- or shallow-fried in vegetable oil<ref name=lyakhovskaya/> or in hot butter.<ref name=sacharow/> The consistency should remain slightly creamy,<ref name=jones/> while they are slightly browned on both sides.<ref name=schecter/> They are traditionally sweet<ref name=sacharow/> and served for breakfast or dessert,<ref name=henry/> but can be made savory as well.<ref name=mendelson/> Raisins, chopped dried apricot, fresh apples or pears are sometimes added into the batter.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They are typically served with varenye, jam, smetana (sour cream) or melted butter.<ref name=mendelson/><ref name=lyakhovskaya/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Outside Eastern Europe
Their equivalent in Germany, especially East Germany, is Quarkkäulchen. Syrniki have gained popularity in Israel in recent years, brought by immigrants from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>