Recipe(tried): Ukrainian Farmer's Cheese Patties (Syrnyky)

UKRAINIAN FARMER'S CHEESE PATTIES
(SYRNYKY)

"These are perfect for family breakfast or a formal brunch. After you have mixed them you can refrigerate them overnight and form them the next day and fry them up before serving."

1/4 cup brandy or water
1/3 cup raisins
1 pound farmer's cheese (do not substitute pressed cottage cheese) this is a dry cheese*
2 large egg yolks, beaten
1 1/2 Tablespoons sour cream
1/3 cup all purpose flour, plus 1 Tablespoon for dusting the patties
2 Tablespoons uncooked cream of wheat (not instant)
3 Tablespoons sugar, or more to taste
1 Tablespoon vanilla sugar**, or regular sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter

In a small saucepan, bring the brandy or water to a boil. Take brandy or water off the heat and add the raisins and soak for 30 minutes. Drain and dry with paper towels. Set aside.

Press the farmer's cheese through a fine sieve. Combine it in a large bowl with the dried raisins, egg yolks, sour cream, 1/3 cup flour, cream of wheat, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Mix thoroughly and add salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Form the cheese mixture into twelve round flat patties about 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Dust the patties on both sides with the 1 Tablespoon flour.

Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add as many patties as will comfortably fit and fry until deep golden on both sides.

Repeat with the remaining patties. Serve at once.

*Pot cheese is a medium dry cottage cheese, also known as pressed cottage cheese. If drained until dry and crumbly, it becomes farmer's cheese. Both pot cheese and farmer's cheese can be found in Eastern European grocery stores and cheese shops; many supermarkets also stock farmer's cheese.

**TO MAKE VANILLA SUGAR:
Bury a large vanilla bean in a 2 to 3 pound container of sugar and store for at least 1 week before using.

Serves 4-6