Ingredients and steps on one page. Print it, or choose “Save as PDF” in the print dialog.
Sekai Gohan
Papanași: Romanian Fried Cheese Doughnuts with Sour Cream and Jam
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh cottage cheese | 1 lb (500 g) | The body of the dough. Very well drained, with small curds |
| Sugar | 3.5 oz (100 g) | Sweetens the dough |
| Eggs | 2 | Bind the dough |
| Baking soda | 1/4 teaspoon | Mixed into the cheese with the sugar |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | Aroma for the dough |
| Flour | 7 oz (200 g) | Added last to bring the dough together. If the cheese is too moist, add an extra tablespoon |
| Flour for dusting | As needed | For coating the dough while shaping |
| Oil for frying | Plenty | For frying in a deep pan |
| Sour cream | To serve | Spooned over the warm papanași |
| Jam | To serve | Served alongside the sour cream |
Steps
1Mix the cheese with sugar and baking soda, then add eggs and vanilla
Put the 1 lb (500 g) of well-drained fresh cottage cheese in a bowl and mix in the 3.5 oz (100 g) sugar and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Add the 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and stir until combined. Keep the flour aside for now.
2Add the flour to make a soft dough
Add the 7 oz (200 g) flour and fold it in until you have a soft dough that holds together and can be shaped by hand. Small curds of cheese will still be visible. If the dough is too wet to shape because the cheese held a lot of moisture, this is the point to add the extra tablespoon of flour.
3Roll fist-sized balls and pierce the center
Take a portion of dough and roll it into a ball about the size of a fist. Push a finger through the center to start a hole.
4Dust with flour, widen the hole and flatten slightly
Dip the pierced dough in flour, then gently widen the hole and flatten the ring slightly. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Place a small ball on top of each ring when serving.
5Fry in plenty of oil until golden on both sides
Heat plenty of oil in a deep frying pan. Fry the rings, turning them carefully, until both sides are golden brown and the dough is cooked throughout, with no raw center. Work with care around the hot oil, and turn the pieces gently so the soft dough keeps its shape.
6Lift out the fried pieces
When both sides are golden and the dough is cooked throughout, lift the papanași out of the oil and set them on absorbent paper. Keep them plain at this stage; the sour cream and jam go on at the table.
7Serve warm with sour cream and jam
Serve the papanași while warm, with sour cream and jam to taste.