Banat pancakes

Banat Pancakes with Cheese Filling and Meringue: A Classic Delicacy

Who doesn't love pancakes? This beloved dish worldwide has become a symbol of comfort and goodness, served both for breakfast and dessert. Banat pancakes are a special variant, filled with a delicious cottage cheese cream, topped with vanilla sauce and fluffy meringue. This recipe is perfect for impressing family and friends, as well as satisfying anyone's sweet cravings.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 30-40 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 8 pancakes

Ingredients

For the pancakes:
- 8 eggs
- 250 g flour
- 50 g sugar
- 500 ml sparkling water
- A pinch of salt
- Oil or butter for frying

For the filling:
- 250 g cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 packets vanilla sugar
- 50 g sugar
- 100 g raisins (optional)

For the vanilla sauce:
- 4 eggs
- 2 packets vanilla sugar
- 200 g sweet cream
- 80 g sugar
- Butter for greasing the dish

For the meringue:
- 4 egg whites
- 120 g sugar
- A pinch of salt

Preparing the Pancakes

1. Preparing the pancake batter: In a large bowl, beat the 8 eggs with a pinch of salt. Add the sugar and mix well. Gradually incorporate the flour, alternating with the sparkling water, to avoid lumps. Ensure you obtain a smooth and fluid batter, ideal for pancakes.

2. Frying the pancakes: In a non-stick pan, heat a little oil or butter. Pour a ladle of pancake batter and spread it evenly on the bottom of the pan. Cook the pancake for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden. Continue with the remaining batter, keeping the pancakes warm on a covered plate.

Preparing the Filling

3. Making the cheese filling: In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese with one egg, sugar, and vanilla sugar until you obtain a smooth cream. Add the raisins and mix well. This will be the delicious filling for your pancakes.

Filling the Pancakes

4. Filling the pancakes: Take one pancake and place a spoonful of cheese filling in the center. Fold the edges of the pancake to seal the filling. Repeat this process with all the pancakes.

Preparing the Vanilla Sauce

5. Preparing the sauce: In another bowl, separate the 4 eggs, keeping only the yolks. Beat the yolks with sugar and vanilla sugar until creamy. Add the sweet cream and mix well.

Assembling and Baking

6. Assembling the pancakes in the dish: Grease a heat-resistant dish with butter and place the filled pancakes in it. Pour the vanilla sauce over them, ensuring even coverage.

7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the pancakes for 10 minutes, then remove the dish from the oven.

Preparing the Meringue

8. Preparing the meringue: Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until frothy. Gradually add the sugar and continue mixing until you obtain a shiny and firm meringue.

9. Assembling the meringue: Take the dish with pancakes from the oven and evenly distribute the meringue on top. Return to the oven for another 10-20 minutes on low heat, or until the meringue turns golden.

Serving

10. Cooling and serving: Allow the dish to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm, with a little sweet cream on top or with a fruit sauce for added flavor.

Practical Tips

- For the cheese filling: You can use fresh cottage cheese or ricotta for a different texture. Raisins can be replaced with dried fruits or nuts, depending on preferences.
- Meringue: Ensure that the bowl and utensils used for beating the egg whites are completely clean, with no trace of fat, to achieve perfect meringue.
- Variations: You can add lemon or orange zest to the filling for a fresh flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I prepare the pancakes in advance? Yes, you can prepare the pancakes ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator. When needed, you can fill and bake them later.
- What can I serve with the pancakes? These pancakes are delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with warm chocolate sauce. A sweet wine or flavored tea pairs perfectly with them.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits

A serving of Banat pancakes with cheese filling contains approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the ingredients used. These pancakes are rich in protein due to the eggs and cheese, providing good nutritional value for a balanced meal.

Regardless of the occasion, Banat pancakes with cheese filling and meringue are an excellent choice to bring a touch of joy to the plate. So, don't wait any longer! Put on your apron and enjoy this delicious recipe that will turn any meal into a special moment. Enjoy your meal!