Papanași
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Cottage cheese or urda, well-drained — 500 g (1 lb 2 oz)
- Eggs — 2
- Sugar — 100 g (3.5 oz)
- Flour, plus extra for shaping — 120 g (4 oz)
- Baking powder — 1 tsp
- Vanilla extract — 1 tsp
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Oil for deep frying
- Sour cream, to serve — 240 g (8.5 oz)
- Fruit preserve (blueberry or sour cherry), to serve — 320 g (11 oz)
Method
- Combine the drained cheese, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla and lemon zest into a soft, slightly sticky dough.
- With floured hands, shape into small doughnut rings (or simple balls), plus a few small balls from the trimmings.
- Heat oil to 170°C (340°F) in a deep pan.
- Fry the doughnuts for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm, topped generously with sour cream and a spoonful of fruit preserve.
Introduction: Fried or boiled cheese doughnuts topped with sour cream and jam, one of Romania's most beloved and indulgent desserts.
Cultural Background: Papanași holds a cherished place in Romanian dessert culture, its soft, cheese-enriched dough and generous topping of sour cream and fruit preserve making it a favourite at restaurants and family celebrations alike.
Tips: Drain the cheese thoroughly, as excess moisture will make the dough too wet and difficult to shape. Fry at a moderate temperature so the dough cooks through fully before the outside over-browns.
Variations: Boil rather than fry the dumplings for a lighter, though less traditional, version. Use different fruit preserves according to preference, though sour cherry and blueberry are especially classic.
Storage: Best eaten fresh and warm; not well suited to storing.
Reheating: Best made fresh; reheating is not typically recommended for this delicate fried dessert.
FAQs:
Q: What is urda?
A: A soft, mild Romanian whey cheese, similar to ricotta, traditionally used in papanași, though cottage cheese is a common substitute.
Q: What toppings are most traditional?
A: A generous dollop of sour cream and a spoonful of fruit preserve, typically blueberry or sour cherry jam.
- Cottage cheese or urda, well-drained — 500 g (1 lb 2 oz)
- Eggs — 2
- Sugar — 100 g (3.5 oz)
- Flour, plus extra for shaping — 120 g (4 oz)
- Baking powder — 1 tsp
- Vanilla extract — 1 tsp
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Oil for deep frying
- Sour cream, to serve — 240 g (8.5 oz)
- Fruit preserve (blueberry or sour cherry), to serve — 320 g (11 oz)
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