Recipe for making Romanian doughnuts

Papanasi: The Traditional Delight of Romanian Dessert

If you are looking for a quick and simple dessert recipe, papanasi are the perfect choice! This delicious dish, with a fluffy texture and unmistakable taste, has its roots in Romanian culinary tradition. Papanasi are often served with sour cream and jam, transforming into a true feast for the taste buds. In this recipe, I will guide you step by step to achieve the best papanasi you have ever tasted!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients

- 250 g cottage cheese (it is ideal to use fresh cheese for a finer texture)
- 2 eggs (for a rich flavor, use free-range eggs if you have access to them)
- 3 tablespoons sugar (you can adjust the amount according to your preferences)
- 1 packet vanilla sugar (or one teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- Grated zest of 1 lemon (adds a touch of freshness)
- A pinch of salt (this brings out the flavors)
- A pinch of baking powder (to achieve a fluffy texture)
- 200 g flour (make sure it is white flour for a more delicate result)
- Oil for frying (make sure you have enough)
- Jam (preferably sour cherry or blackberry, but you can use any preferred type)
- Sweet cream (or cream sweetened with a touch of powdered sugar for a richer taste)

Preparing the Dough

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Use a mixer or a fork to mix everything well until you get a homogeneous composition. Make sure the cheese is well integrated, without lumps.

2. Adding the dry ingredients: In another bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder. Gradually add the flour mixture to the cheese composition, mixing constantly. The dough should be soft but still easy to shape. If it is too sticky, add a little more flour, but do not overdo it to avoid making the papanasi too dense.

3. Shaping the papanasi: Dust your hands with flour and form small circles and balls from the dough. Use flour to prevent sticking. You can create round papanasi or with a hole in the middle, like a donut, depending on your preference.

Frying the Papanasi

4. Heating the oil: In a deep pan, pour a generous amount of oil and let it heat. Check the oil temperature by dropping a small amount of dough; if it rises immediately to the surface and starts to sizzle, the oil is ready for frying.

5. Frying: Add the papanasi to the pan, being careful not to overcrowd them. Fry them on each side for 3-4 minutes or until they become golden and crispy. Use a spatula to turn them carefully.

6. Removing from the oil: When they are ready, remove them to a plate covered with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

Serving

7. Finishing: Arrange the papanasi on a flat plate. Generously dust them with powdered sugar, then pour sweet cream on top. Add a spoonful of jam to give them an even more intense flavor.

Tips and Variations

- Useful tips: Make sure the cheese is well drained of whey to avoid a too wet dough. You can use cottage cheese for a finer texture.
- Variations: You can experiment by adding extra flavors, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to the cheese composition. You can also replace the cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I use another type of cheese?: Yes, you can use goat cheese or ricotta, but the taste will be different.
- How can I make the papanasi less caloric?: You can reduce the amount of sugar and use yogurt instead of cream.
- Can I prepare the papanasi in advance?: It is recommended to make them fresh, but you can let them cool and keep them in the fridge to fry the next day.

Stories and Combinations

Papanasi are a dessert that reminds of Sunday family meals, where each member contributes a delicious dish. Serve them with a glass of cold compote or flavored tea to complete the culinary experience. These papanasi can also be enjoyed as an indulgent breakfast or as a sweet snack during the day.

So now that you have all the necessary details, it’s time to start cooking! Try this simple and delicious papanasi recipe and enjoy every bite. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: -250 g cottage cheese - 2 eggs - 3 tablespoons sugar - 1 vanilla sugar, vanilla, lemon zest - 1 baking powder (for which I added a bit of yogurt + whey, about a tablespoon) - 200 g flour - jam - sweet cream or sweetened with a pinch of powdered sugar