Syrniki

This yummy breakfast dish is made from tvorog, a kind of fresh soft cheese that has a consistency similar to cottage cheese, but a flavor that is closer to ricotta. It is a staple in a Russian home, and making syrniki is the traditional way to use leftover tvorog before you get a new batch. Despite this cheese’s similarity to both cottage cheese and ricotta, I don’t recommend that you use those as substitutes. Tvorog is available from the dairy section in most mainstream supermarkets as “farmer cheese” (the Friendship brand is pretty good).

1 lb tvorog or farmer cheese
2 raw medium eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
2 tbsp cooking oil