Food Adventure 3: Tvorog

Hi everyone, this is Kim. Today's delicacy hails from Mother Russia!

"Tvorog" (творог) is a popular dairy product made from soured-milk, which is similar to German quark or Australian cottage-cheese.

I first encountered tvorog in Vladivostok, in a baked form known as Zapekanka (запакенка). It was enthusiastically introduced to me as "Just like cheesecake!!!".

~ I LOVE CHEESECAKE ~
Image source: tumblr.com

Obviously I didn't take much convincing! Exhibit A:

Zapekanka (запакенка)

I managed one bite...

Unfortunately, baked tvorog can't be favourably compared to Western cheesecake as we know it.

Firstly, the sugar and fat content fall far below par.

And secondly, the lumpy texture (aided in zapekanka by an additional ingredient called "манная каша": a fine, grainy porridge form of semolina) reminds you of how cheese is actually made... In fact it is quite easy to make tvorog at home- I frequently do it by mistake!

Plagued with troubled memories of my first experience, I have deliberately avoided tvorog in it's fried form, known as syrnik (сырник).

Syrniki (сырники)
Image source: ledilid.com

Tvorog is also used to make a traditional Easter cake called paskha (творожная пасха).

Paskha can be made with raisins, nuts, and eggs, and is served cold. It is often molded into a shape such as a pyramid or a ball, and must feature the Cyrillic letters "ХВ" which stand for the Eastern Orthodox Easter catch-cry "Христос воскресе" (Christ is risen).

One Easter I became a victim of Russian hospitality: at the risk of offending my generous Russian host, I resolved to eat whatever was placed in front of me.

Paskha (пасха)

Naturally I was served a very generous slice. I ate the whole piece, and the replacement slice they quickly placed on my plate. And it was really really hard OK?

Here I am trying to look gracious while gagging on tvorog.

Sadly my feelings about tvorog have never changed.

In its defense, tvorog in its various forms is a much healthier alternative to most of our sugar-laced Western treats. It is very high in protein, and also contains vitamin B4, phosphorus, and lots of calcium. And it can be bought in a non-fat form. Try it today..!