The first time I fell in love with Russian cuisine was back when I lived in Melbourne and went to a bar called After the Tears with a homeless man (read about it in my Pelmeni recipe).
The second time was when I was living in Vietnam and went to a Russian restaurant called CCCP. Sounds weird to be going to a Russian restaurant in Vietnam but this place was legit. The first thing you were asked when you walked through the door was ” do you speak russian?” and the food was heavenly. I went at least twice a week for a few months. And it was so so cheap. I’m currently having withdrawals wishing I was there.
This was the first time I tried cottage cheese in dessert as well and loved it! The tangy flavour contrasting the sweet. Absolutely delicious!
When I found myself with some leftover cottage cheese, cherries and old rye bread this week I had a flashback to eating that Russian cottage cheese dessert (Syrniki) and an idea to make Russian French Toast. I had no Idea if this was a real thing or not so after a quick google search I found out it is and it’s called Grenki. My recipe isn’t at all traditional so please don’t eat me alive in the comments.
Instead, this is a mix of what memories I have of eating Russian food, and techniques and flavours of a classic French Toast. Please enjoy my not so traditional Russian French Toast because I know sure did!
Let’s break this french toast down:
I used rye sourdough as the bread. This wasn’t a very dark sourdough, you don’t want something that is too dark and heavy otherwise it could overpower everything else. Normal sourdough or brioche would also work
The bread is dipped into a sweetened egg and milk mixture just like normal french toast. Where this Russian french toast differs is in the toppings.
Watch the video for Russian French Toast here:
On top is whipped cottage cheese that’s slightly sweetened with vanilla extract. Have you ever had whipped cottage cheese? It’s life changing! It takes lumpy cottage cheese and turns it into this smooth creamy airy and slightly tangy spread. Kinda like cream cheese and yogurt had a baby.
Add some sweet and tart cherries on top that have been cooked in a little maple syrup and balsamic vinegar (so good makes them slightly tart, but also not 100% necessary), drizzle over extra maple syrup because french toast+maple syrup = 💖.
What you get is a sinful tasting breakfast (or dessert, or lunch or snack) that is actually real good for you and will keep you full for hours!
The hardest part about this recipe is pitting the cherries, it’s honestly a pain but so worth it! To make it easier you can use a cherry pitter.
#tillyeats or TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM @TILLYEATS IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, I LOVE SEEING YOUR CREATIONS!
Also if you could rate the recipe below I would be forever grateful – it makes me feel good ( yay internet points) and also helps me understand what you guys like 😛
OTHER RUSSIAN RECIPES:
- Borsch – Soup made from beets, potatoes, beans, carrots and onions. Flavoured with dill, garlic and vinegar.
- Russian Pelmeni – Pork dumplings flavoured with dill and cooked in an egg dough. Served best with vinegar and sour cream.
- Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – Pork, rice and vegetables wrapped in cabbage leaves cooked in a rich tomato and vegetable sauce.
Russian French Toast uses simple ingredients, takes 20 minute from start to finish. Topped with delicious whipped cottage cheese and sour cherry sauce.
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 slices rye sourdough
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup almond milk/milk of choice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 250 grams cherries
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
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To make whipped cottage cheese add the ingredients to a food processor and process until soft and fluffy about 2 minutes.
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In a shallow bowl whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon.
Melt butter in a non stick fry pan over medium heat.
Dunk slices of bread in the egg mixture, coating both sides. Place in the pan to cook
Cook for 3 minutes each side or until golden and crispy.
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Remove and add to a serving plate.
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In the same pan add pitted and stemmed cherries, vinegar and maple syrup. Cook for 3 minutes minutes or until saucy.
Top french toast with whipped cottage cheese, cherries and extra maple syrup
Calories are a rough estimate done by an online calculator.
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NOTE: All images and text on this website are protected by copyright. Please do not post or republish this recipe/images without permission from me -Tilly. If you want to share this recipe, please share the link rather than the whole recipe. Thank you so much! 🙂
Sylvie
I love the idea to use rye sourdough or any dark bread to make french toast – we always go for softer breads like brioche but using rye bread is actually great to bring some texture to the dish! The whipped cottage cheese sounds delicious too 🙂
Taylor Kiser
I would love to wake up to this for breakfast! Looks so delicious!
Biana | TastyGalaxy.com
This French toast looks so delicious, especially all the cherries! Perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Krissy Allori
I love the idea of trying something new for breakfast! Thanks for sharing.
Claudia
I love the idea of using cottage cheese together with the cherries. Yum!
Sarah Blair
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