Ukrainian cuisine is rich in taste and influenced by many other countries. It has close connections with German, Hungarian, Turkish, Polish and Russian cuisines. Every dish is unique in taste and the food is meant to be filling, often served in large portions so that a person is unable to eat any more.
Syrniki is an all time favorite Ukrainian dish that is loved by both grown ups and children alike. It is the equivalent to what we know as pancakes and it is traditionally served for breakfast or dessert. The “Syr” part of the dish refers to cheese in both Russian and Ukrainian. Quark cheese is the basic ingredient for the Syrniki, it is similar to cream cheese in that it is soft, white and unaged. The quark used for Syrniki has cream added to it which makes the cheese very soft and smooth in texture. The cheese is mixed with flour, eggs, sugar and sometimes vanilla extract. The soft mixture is shaped into cakes which are generally fried with vegetable oil. The outside becomes crispy brown and the center is warm and creamy. Once cooked, syrniki are made more zingy with the addition of sour cream, jam, honey or applesauce. They are a sweet treat for all to enjoy.
The Syrniki recipe is native to Eastern Europe in countries like Russia, Belarus, Lithuania. Poland and Ukraine. At times, even raisins, cinnamon, and lemon zest are added to improve the flavor of the cakes. It is a dish that should be served hot in order to savor the creamy taste of the center. There are not many variations to the pancake but it has been a special treat across Russia and Eastern Europe for centuries.