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Dzykka
Dzykka (дзыкка): hot Ossetian porridge of fresh cheese, sour cream and flour stirred until the butter runs
RussianShepherds in the high pastures of North Ossetia cooked dzykka in a cauldron over the fire from what the herd gave them, and it is still a winter breakfast and a dish for guests in Vladikavkaz homes. Young cheese and thick sour cream are heated and stirred with a little flour until the mass turns smooth, stretchy and glossy and clear yellow butterfat seeps out at the edges. It is rich, salty and tangy, eaten hot by scooping it up with flatbread or boiled potatoes. Ossetian cheese uses animal rennet, so choose a young brined cheese labelled vegetarian. A common mistake is stopping too early: dzykka is ready only when the fat separates and pools. Chef's tip: use a heavy non-stick pan and a wooden spoon and keep the heat low; high heat scorches the base long before the butter appears.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅜ oz plain flour
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 boiled potatoes or flatbread, to serve (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Grate or finely crumble the 10 ½ oz young vegetarian brined white cheese.
3 minStep 2: Heat the 14 oz full-fat sour cream (at least 20% fat) in a heavy pan over a medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring, until it bubbles at the edges.
5 minStep 3: Sprinkle in the 1 ⅜ oz plain flour a spoonful at a time, whisking, and cook for 5 minutes, until it thickens like a béchamel.
5 minStep 4: Add the cheese and stir steadily over a low heat for 10–12 minutes, until it melts into a smooth, stretchy mass and yellow butterfat seeps out around the edges.
12 minStep 5: Taste and add the 1 pinch salt only if needed. Serve hot in bowls with 4 boiled potatoes or flatbread, to serve or flatbread for scooping.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 45 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does dzykka take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of full-fat sour cream (at least 20% fat)?
- Greek yoghurt, same amount.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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