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A Russian recipe book lurks on the shelf and is occasionally leafed through, only to be returned to its lofty post due to lack of enthusiasm for heavy egg and pastry-based repast. But then one day I happen upon these chaps and I remember super tasty chewy cheese bun/cake things eaten on the mean streets of Minsk. Read on…

Preparation time: 3 hours 20 minutes – most of which is passive
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Skill level: Easy

Ingredients

• cottage cheese – 650g
• egg yolks – 2
• 1 egg
• plain flour – 70g
• salt

Drain the cheese for 2 hours before using. Wrap in a muslin or a tea towel and hang it up to drip. Or place in a colander with a weight on top.

When dry, rub the cheese through a sieve. Mix in the egg yolks. Beat the whole egg and add to the mix. Salt to taste. Beat until thoroughly blended then shape into rolls about 5cm in diameter. Chill for an hour.

Cut into slices about 2.5cm thick, dust them with flour and fry in butter. Drain on paper and serve with a bowl of soured cream. Or with a bit of salad. Depending on how much you like soured cream/how Russian you are.

Verdict: Utterly morish.

Drink: Strong coffee with hot UHT and French sugar lumps, Spanish style.

Entertainment: Jon Holmes reading out our suggestions for stories linked to Blue Peter.