Romanian Papanasi Recipe

Romanian papanasi recipe with sour cream and jam, or fried no-yeast cheese doughnuts, a dessert that tastes like heaven, and we are so proud of. It only takes a few ingredients to put it together, but be sure that everybody will fall in love with them.

I’m so happy to be taking part in Natascha’s Around the world recipe challenge where you can find some fantastic recipes from different countries. Natascha is the amazing blogger behind Natascha’s Palace, do check her blog for some delicious dishes, she is a great cook.

I was delighted to see that Romanian Donuts Papanasi were on her list, and, since they are such an appetising Romanian dessert, I really had to give them a try. Papanasi are our version of fried cheese donuts, but so much tastier than any donuts.

I almost feel embarrassed to admit that it was the fist time I made them myself, although I did try them in past. Any restaurant would serve them, and foreigners would always be welcomed with a nice portion of Romanian stuffed cabbage rolls with chicken and rice, a glass of plum brandy and some papanasi. It may be a rich menu, but it’s worth every single bite. And calorie, as a matter of fact.

Papanasi are usually made of cows’ cheese, we use it in lots of different recipes, from sweet to savoury, and, as a nation, we absolutely love cheese. Papanasi can be either fried or boiled, or maybe eveb baked, but l’m sure you’d agree with me that fried taste a lot better, even if they might be less healthy.

But then, desserts are not (necessarily) meant to be super healthy, right? ? As long as we don’t eat more of the naughty stuff than the healthy ones, dessert now and then can make no harm.

It’s definitely not easy to have only one of these beauties, ask any Romanian, and they will tell you the same thing: our Papanasi are too good for words. Yum!

If you’ve tried my ROMANIAN PAPANASI or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

5 from 1 vote

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Romanian Papanasi Recipe

Prep Time

45 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

55 mins

 

Romanian Papanasi recipe, or fried no-yeast cheese donuts with sour cream and jam, a fantastic dessert that we treasure.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Romanian

Servings: 4 papanasi

Calories: 1189 kcal

Author: Daniela Anderson

Ingredients

• 200 g cow's cheese (or feta)
• 1 egg
• 120 g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• zest of one lemon
• 50 g caster sugar
• 400 ml vegetable oil to fry
• sour cream
• cherry jam

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

1. Grate the cheese and add it to a large bowl.

2. Mix in the egg, sugar, lemon zest and bicarbonate of soda.

3. Add the flour and knead until you get a dought that is still very slightly sticky. Shape it into a ball.
4. Let the dough to rest for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Divide the dough into 4 smaller balls.
6. Each ball will then be devided into 2, we will need about 3/4 of that dough for the main doughnut and 1/4 for the small ball that goes on top.
7. We will then have 4 doughnuts and 4 small balls in total.
8. To make the doughnut, just use your thumbprint to make a hole in the middle of the dough and give it a nice round shape.
9. Heat up a large pan and add the oil.
10. Add one doughnut and one ball and let them fry on each side for about 2 minutes until golden.
11. Remove with a spatula and transfer to a plate lined with kitchen towel to absorbe any excess oil.
12. Repeat with the remaining doughnuts and balls.
13. Serve with sour cream and cherry or any other jam you prefer.

Recipe Notes

• To see the measurements in cups and ounces, please click on the US CUSTOMARY link.
• The amount of ingredients listed can be adjusted depending on the number of servings you need, just click on the number next to SERVINGS.

Nutrition Facts

Romanian Papanasi Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1189 Calories from Fat 999

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 111g 171%

Saturated Fat 15g 75%

Cholesterol 85mg 28%

Sodium 731mg 30%

Potassium 78mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 37g 12%

Sugars 14g

Protein 11g 22%

Vitamin A 5.4%

Calcium 25.7%

Iron 10.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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