Chef’s Corner BY CHEF NATASHA POGREBINSKY Cheese Cake Cheesecake, a classic American dessert is not always the healthiest, or the lightest dessert option for summer. I love it, but more and more diners at my restaurants ask for “healthier” options for dessert. There’s a famous Russian tea side, yes, that is a thing…..we like sides with our tea, lol. It’s called a sir’nyk, a ricotta and farmer’s cheese based ladka or knish. It’s simply made by combining cheese with a little flower, an optional egg, sugar or honey and pan frying it to get a golden crust. I grew up eating this for dessert as opposed to pie or cake. It’s not very sweet, but the cheese and a hint of sugar is just enough to round out the meal. At the restaurant I took that wonderful recipe and converted it to a cheesecake. Check out this recipe I think you’ll be a fast convert! Enjoy! Ingredients: Makes one 9” cake. 32 oz sour cream 1 cup flour 1 egg ½ cup sugar (more or less depending on how sweet you like it) 3 cups crushed cornflakes optional: lemon zest, orange zest, nutmeg, vanilla bean Topping & Garnish: 1 pint fresh blueberries 1 pint fresh raspberries 1 oz sugar or sweetener or honey combine and blend on low until a rough paste develops, store in the fridge up to 5 days powdered sugar, and mint leaves for decorating Directions: Preheat oven to 275F. Grease or butter the 9” cake mold. Dust with flour, shake off excess flour. Lay down a layer of crushed cornflakes. In a mixer combine sour cream, flour, egg, sugar, and the optional zest and vanilla bean or a pinch of nutmeg. Blend slowly until all ingredients are incorporated, then blend on high for about 1 minute to incorporate some air into the batter. Pour into the mold and spread evenly. Bake for about 20-35 minutes depending on your oven. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out dry, it’s done Cool completely before serving. Let set in the fridge for at least 8 hours. Top with blended berries, fresh mint leaves and powdered sugar. SMETANA Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky Exec. Chef at The Starlight, Williamsburg www.bearnyc.com www.ChefNatasha.com
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