Patrick Oconnell
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient with a mild flavour and creamy texture. It is a great source of protein and calcium and can be used in a variety of dishes, both savoury and sweet. It is a popular ingredient in Eastern European cooking and can be used in place of cottage cheese, ricotta, or mascarpone. It is delicious on its own, spread on bread or crackers, or crumbled over salads. It can also be used to make stuffed pasta, added to lasagne or casseroles, or even fried. For a sweet treat, farmer's cheese can be used to make cheesecake or enjoyed with fresh fruit and honey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Creamy, crumbly, soft, loose, spreadable |
| Flavor | Mild, tangy, sweet |
| Taste Similarity | Ricotta, cream cheese, cottage cheese |
| Use | Blintzes, cheesecakes, dips, parfaits, desserts, salads, casseroles, lasagna, stuffed pasta, sandwiches, toast, crackers |
| Ingredients | Milk, vinegar, salt, herbs, seasonings |
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What You'll Learn
Blintzes and pasta
Blintzes
Blintzes are thin pan-fried crepes filled with a sweetened cheese mixture, wrapped, and fried in butter. The filling is usually made with farmer's cheese, lightly sweetened with sugar, and mixed with egg yolks and vanilla. To make the crepes, combine eggs, flour, milk, salt, and butter. To assemble the blintzes, place a crepe on a work surface, add a heaping tablespoon of the cheese filling in the centre, and fold the bottom edge up to cover the filling. Then, fold each of the sides in towards the centre, roll the crepe up and over, and tuck in the edges to form a blintz. Fry the blintzes in butter until golden brown.
Blintzes are considered a comfort food in Jewish and Eastern European cuisine. They can be served as a dessert or for breakfast.
Pasta
Farmer's cheese can be used in pasta dishes, either as a substitute for cottage cheese or ricotta, or as a topping.
One recipe for farmer's cheese pasta involves baking the cheese with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Cook pasta according to the package instructions, then pour the cooked pasta into the baking dish and mix together. Top with chopped basil.
Another option is to prepare the pasta as desired and stir in the farmer's cheese, coating all the noodles. Add salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fried onions, Parmesan cheese, or chopped parsley. This dish is commonly eaten across Eastern Europe, particularly in Jewish kitchens.
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Salads and dips
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of salads and dips. Its mild flavour and soft texture make it a great addition to many dishes.
Salads
Farmer's cheese can be crumbled on top of salads to add a creamy texture and a tangy flavour. It goes well with fresh vegetables such as avocado, cucumber, and tomato, as well as with fresh fruit and honey. For a more substantial salad, it can be paired with cured ham, chicken, or shrimp.
Dips
The cheese can also be used as a base for dips. To make a simple dip, mix the farmer's cheese with fresh herbs, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. For a spicier option, add dry spices such as black pepper, cayenne, or cumin.
Other Ideas
In addition to salads and dips, farmer's cheese can be used in a variety of other dishes. It can be spread on bread or crackers, added to pasta dishes, or used as a filling for blintzes or pierogies. It can also be used in place of ricotta or mascarpone in recipes that don't require a silky texture.
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Sandwiches and toast
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sandwich and toast recipes. Its creamy texture and fresh, sweet flavour make it a perfect addition to many dishes.
One simple way to use farmer's cheese in a sandwich is to spread it on bread, along with some grainy mustard, sharp cheese, and crunchy apple slices. This combination creates a light and refreshing summer meal. For an extra special touch, try using a good quality cheddar cheese that is crumbly and sharp. You can also add a layer of onion jam to the sandwich for an extra flavour boost.
Farmer's cheese is also delicious when paired with tart, crisp apple slices in a grilled cheese sandwich. To make this sandwich, simply layer thin slices of cheese and apple between two slices of buttered bread, and cook on a griddle or in a frying pan until the bread is golden-brown and toasted, and the cheese has melted. For a tangy twist, try using mayonnaise instead of butter when cooking the sandwich. You can also add thin slices of ham or prosciutto for some extra protein.
In addition to sandwiches, farmer's cheese is a great option for toast. Simply spread the cheese on some toast and top with honey or jam for a quick and delicious breakfast. You can also enjoy farmer's cheese on crackers or crusty bread as an appetizer or as part of a country-style salad.
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Desserts and cheesecake
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes. When it comes to desserts and cheesecakes, farmer's cheese is an excellent substitute for cream cheese, adding a distinct and sharp flavour to your treats.
Farmer Cheese Sweet Pastries
For a delicious dessert, you can make some sweet pastries with farmer's cheese. This Romanian treat is easy to make and only takes about an hour from start to finish. You will need puff pastry, farmer's cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and raisins. Start by defrosting the puff pastry and bringing it to room temperature. In a separate bowl, mix the farmer's cheese with an egg, sugar, a little salt, vanilla extract, raisins, and lemon zest. Once the pastry is ready, fill it with the cheese mixture, and bake at 400°F/200°C for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Farmer's Cheese Cheesecake
Farmer's cheese cheesecake is a creamy and tangy dessert that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This no-bake cheesecake has a sweet and buttery graham cracker crust, with a filling made from farmer's cheese, sour cream, sugar, and heavy whipping cream. The key to this recipe is using farmer's cheese instead of cream cheese, as it adds a unique and sharp flavour to the traditional cheesecake. You can also add your own toppings, such as fresh berries, chocolate ganache, or caramel sauce. To make this cheesecake, simply mix the filling ingredients and assemble the dessert cups, starting with a layer of graham cracker crumbs, followed by the cheese mixture, and finally, your chosen toppings. Chill the cheesecake for at least 3 hours before serving.
In addition to these two desserts, farmer's cheese can also be used to make blintzes, pierogi filling, and German cheesecake. It is a versatile ingredient that can be substituted for other types of cheese in many recipes, adding its own unique flavour and texture.
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Regional specialties
Farmer's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. While it is a popular ingredient in Eastern European cooking, it is also used in regional specialties in other parts of the world, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, farmer's cheese is used in a regional specialty called "Rosti," which consists of hash-browned potatoes, eggs, and any vegetables of your choice. The cheese adds a rich, tangy flavour to the dish.
In Poland, farmer's cheese is commonly eaten with perogies and is also used as a filling for pierogis, mixed with mashed potatoes. It is also enjoyed as a snack with green olives.
In the Czech Republic, farmer's cheese is used in a variety of dishes, including cheesecake and savoury dishes like blintzes (crepes filled with cheese and fried in butter).
In America, farmer's cheese is similar to pressed cottage cheese or ricotta, but with a drier and firmer texture. It is often used in stuffed pasta, lasagna, and casseroles, adding flavour and texture to these dishes. It can also be crumbled over salads or spread on bread or crackers for a simple snack.
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Frequently asked questions
You can enjoy farmer's cheese on its own, sliced on bread, or crumbled on salads, crackers, or bread.
Farmer's cheese is commonly used to make blintzes, stuffed pasta, and casseroles. It can also be used in dips, parfaits, and desserts.
You can make a regional specialty called "Rosti", which is hash-browned potatoes with eggs and any vegetables you wish to add. You can also try a sandwich with chicken, avocado, and tomato jam on sesame bread.
You can experiment with adding fresh herbs and seasonings to the curds, such as chopped garlic, dried onion, basil, dill, rosemary, or even chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Farmer's cheese is similar to ricotta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. In recipes that don't require a silky texture, farmer's cheese can be used in place of ricotta or mascarpone.
