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Alivenci
Alivenci: Moldavian baked cornmeal cake with cottage cheese, eggs and sour cream
Across the Prut, in villages from Vaslui to the Republic of Moldova, alivenci is what happens when a farmhouse has fresh cheese, sour cream and a sack of cornmeal: a soft, custardy cake baked in a tray and cut into squares while warm. It is lighter than mămăligă and richer than bread, with a tender, slightly crumbly crumb studded with curd, and is eaten for Sunday breakfast or as a side with stews and a dollop of sour cream. Traditional brânză de vaci (cottage-style cheese) is usually made without rennet, but some brands use it, so check the label. Where most people go wrong is using coarse polenta, which stays gritty; fine cornmeal gives the silky texture. Chef's tip: let the batter sit for 15 minutes before baking so the cornmeal hydrates and the cake sets evenly.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 7 oz fine cornmeallabelled gluten free if needed
- 1 ⅛ lb cottage cheese (brânză de vaci)drained
- 4 eggs
- 10 ½ oz sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ¾ oz buttermelted, plus extra for the tin
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp dill (optional)chopped
- 5 ½ oz sour cream (optional)to serve
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan) and butter a 20 × 30 cm baking dish.
5 minStep 3: Crumble in the 1 ⅛ lb cottage cheese (brânză de vaci) with your fingers and stir it through, leaving some small curds.
2 minStep 4: Add the 7 oz fine cornmeal and the 2 tbsp dill if using, and stir until the batter is evenly mixed and pourable. Leave to stand for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 5: Pour into the dish and level the top.
1 minStep 6: Bake for 40–45 minutes, until puffed, golden brown on top and set in the middle; a knife pushed into the centre should come out clean.
45 minStep 7: Cool for 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm with 5 ½ oz sour cream.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 14 g
- Carbs
- 25 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does alivenci take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of sour cream?
- Greek yoghurt, same amount.
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