Czech Republic Comfort Food Recipe: Potato Pancakes Stuffed With Goat Cheese

Cheeses in the Czech Republic may derive from various livestock, such as cows, goats, and sheep. Brown shorthair (Hned Kratkosrsta Koza), Swiss Saanen, and white shorthaired (Bilà Kratkosrsta Koza) comprise three of the most popular ovine breeds in the Republic.

• Brown shorthair and white shorthaired were recognized as autonomous breeds in 1954 - 1955.
• Named for the Saanen Valley in southwestern Switzerland, Saanen goats are renowned for their easy manageability and high productivity.

Ingredients for 6 servings

Cooking time and servings are determined by portion size. This recipe generally yields 4 to 6 large pancakes, which each require 2 to 3 minutes of frying per side.

2 cups shredded (8 ounce block) goat cheese

• Or:  4 cups shredded (16 ounce block) for extra cheesiness

potato pancake batter:

6 medium potatoes (about 2.5 pounds)

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

1/4 teaspoon marjoram

salt (for sprinkling)

white pepper (for sprinkling)

1 cup flour

2 eggs

3/4 cup oil

• Or:  3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) butter

1. Transfer 2 cups shredded goat cheese to medium mixing bowl.

2. Through the coarse setting, grate potatoes into a colander. Then drain any liquid by pressing.

• Deposit gratings into a large mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle with condiments (caraway seeds, marjoram, salt, white pepper).

3. Beat eggs in a small mixing bowl. Then mix in flour.

4. Add egg batter to potatoes and combine well.

5. Form thin patties and set on towel or platter.

• Place handful of cheese shreddings in the center of half of patties.
• Then cover each cheese patty with a patty and crimp top and bottom patties together along sides and ends.

6. Over medium-high heat in a large saucepan, heat oil until hot. Or, if using butter, heat until melted.

• With a spatula or large spoon, carefully lower stuffed patties into hot oil (or butter).
• Fry about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until patties are golden.

7. Transfer from saucepan to paper towels or draining rack; allow to rest briefly.

• Then place on serving plate. If desired, cut each patty in half.

Serve hot.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Kozí sýr v bramboráku = Goat cheese in potato pancake: Dezidor, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kozí_sýr_v_bramboráku.jpg

Goat's milk cheese: Jon Sullivan, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cheese_55_bg_061806.jpg