Recipe for preparing doughnuts

Delicious Papanasi Recipe - Traditional Romanian Dessert

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Papanasi are a classic Romanian dessert, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, with a soft texture and exquisite taste. This simple and quick recipe for papanasi will surely impress your family and friends. By following the steps described below, you will achieve perfect papanasi, which can be served with sour cream and jam for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Ingredients:
- 250 g cottage cheese (preferably well-drained)
- 2 eggs (separate yolks and whites)
- 100 g sugar (50 g regular sugar and 50 g vanilla sugar)
- A pinch of salt
- 100 g semolina
- Grated zest of one lemon
- Oil for frying
- Sour cream and jam for serving (optional)

Step 1: Preparing the mixture
In a large bowl, mix the two yolks with the regular sugar and vanilla sugar, adding a pinch of salt. Use a whisk or mixer to achieve a smooth and creamy mixture. It is important for the sugar to dissolve completely to avoid crystals in the final dessert.

Step 2: Add the cheese
Add the cottage cheese to the yolk mixture and mix well until you obtain a fine paste. Make sure the cheese is well-drained; otherwise, the papanasi will have a wet texture.

Step 3: Complete with semolina and flavor
Incorporate the semolina and lemon zest into the mixture, continuing to mix. The semolina helps bind the ingredients and gives them structure. The lemon zest adds a fresh and aromatic note that will make the papanasi taste exceptional.

Step 4: Beat the egg whites
In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. This step is essential to add air and volume to the papanasi, giving them a fluffy texture. Ensure the bowl and utensils are completely dry; otherwise, the egg whites will not whip properly.

Step 5: Incorporate the egg whites
Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cheese mixture using a spatula. Do this carefully to avoid losing the air from the egg whites, which will help the papanasi rise beautifully while frying.

Step 6: Forming the papanasi
Once you have obtained a homogeneous mixture, form equal-sized balls or discs (approximately 5 cm). You can choose to make a dent in the middle of each papanas, which will help retain the sour cream and jam better when serving.

Step 7: Frying
In a deep pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Fry the papanasi on each side for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Make sure not to overcrowd them in the pan to fry evenly.

Step 8: Serving
Remove the papanasi onto a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Serve them warm, with sour cream and fruit jam (preferably sour cherry or blackberry) on top. This combination will take your taste buds on a true culinary journey.

Variations:
- You can also add a bit of vanilla extract or orange flavor to the mixture for a variety of tastes.
- If you want a lighter version, you can use low-fat cottage cheese and natural sweeteners.

Papanasi are a versatile dessert, perfect for any occasion, so feel free to give them a personal twist. Enjoy every bite of this Romanian delight!