Curd Easter: confectioner told how to properly prepare a festive dessert

On May 5, Orthodox believers celebrate Pascha, or the Resurrection of Christ, the oldest Christian holiday. The origins of the holiday go back in time and are intertwined with the Jewish holiday of Passover, which is celebrated in memory of the Jews’ escape from Egypt. For Christians, it has come to symbolize new life, rebirth and victory over death.

What to talk about

One of the main symbols of Easter is the egg, signifying the beginning of new life and the Resurrection. The tradition of dyeing eggs in bright colors goes back to the distant past and is associated with the rituals of different cultures. Different countries around the world have their own peculiarities in decorating Easter eggs.

Another, no less important attribute of the holiday are Easter kulichi, as well as Easter. The latter is a dish of cottage cheese, which is traditionally prepared only once a year, exactly on the Easter holiday.

Ingredients for cottage cheese Easter

master of gingerbread painting, confectioner, twice gold medalist of the Eurasian forum on baking

“There are many variations of this recipe, but I will offer you one of the classic ones.”

For a traditional cottage cheese Easter you will need the following ingredients:

• cottage cheese – 500 g;
• butter – 100 g;
• sugar – 150 g (you can adjust to taste);
• chicken eggs – 2 pieces (it is desirable to use only yolks);
• vanilla sugar – 1 sachet;
• raisins – 100 g;
• candied fruit (optional) – 50 g;
• nuts (optional, you can use pine nuts, walnuts or almonds) – 50 g;
• sour cream (optional, for a more delicate flavor) – 2-3 tbsp. tbsp.

You can use both homemade and store-bought cottage cheese, but necessarily fat and without lumps.

Preparation of cottage cheese Easter

Preparation of cottage cheese Easter does not require special skills and complex actions.

1. curd should be as homogeneous as possible and without lumps. To do this, you can rub it through a sieve or use a blender.

2. Soak the raisins in warm water for 15-20 minutes, then dry them. Cut the candied fruits into small pieces. Chop the nuts as well.

3. In a deep bowl, combine cottage cheese, soft butter, sugar, vanilla sugar and yolks. Mix everything thoroughly until smooth. You can use a mixer on low speed.

4. Add raisins, candied fruit and nuts to the curd mixture. Mix everything gently.

5. Take a special mold for Easter or use an ordinary deep bowl lined with several layers of gauze. Put the curd mixture into it, tamp it well and tie the gauze on top. Put it under a sponge for a few hours (preferably overnight) in the refrigerator.

6. Before serving, carefully invert the mold onto a dish and remove the gauze.

The cottage cheese Easter is ready to decorate and serve!

Decorating cottage cheese Easter

Traditionally, cottage cheese Easter has the shape of a truncated cone, which symbolizes the Temple of the Resurrection of Christ. To give such a figure, use a special wooden or plastic utensil, called “pasochnitsa”.

You can use fresh flowers and greenery to decorate the top of the Easter. The letters “XB” (Christ is Risen), can be made using colored sprinkles, almonds, raisins or special templates. Using raisins, nuts, candied fruits, you can create a variety of patterns and ornaments on the surface of the Easter. Fresh or canned fruits and berries not only decorate the Easter, but also add to it flavor notes.

Before decorating, the pascha should be cooled well so that it holds its shape better.

Traditional ways of serving

According to Christian tradition, next to the cottage cheese Easter on a tray, kulichi and dyed eggs are placed. This creates a complete Easter composition.

Modern variations of the dish

Curd Easter is usually prepared from cottage cheese, eggs, butter and sugar. However, as with any traditional dish, there are many recipe variations that give this dessert new flavor nuances.

One of the most popular variations is adding chopped dried fruits, nuts and chocolate to the mixture of cottage cheese and eggs. Such Easter turns out to be more lush and rich in flavor. You can also add coconut shavings, lemon zest, blueberries or other fruits and berries. This will give the dessert an unforgettable aroma and fresh taste.

If you prefer a lighter version of the dish, you can replace the usual cottage cheese with non-fat or Greek yogurt. Such an Easter will be more tender and airy.

You can also experiment with adding spices. For example, add cinnamon or ginger to give the Easter new taste shades and aroma.

Let’s describe a few unusual variants of cottage cheese Easter. You can experiment yourself and choose those ingredients that combine with the main component of the dessert – cottage cheese.

Curd Easter with condensed milk and white chocolate

Such a dessert will be to the taste of sweet-toothed people.

Zložky:

• cottage cheese – 400 g;
• white chocolate – 100 g;
• condensed milk – 200 g;
• dried fruits, candied fruits, nuts – as desired.

Príprava: melt white chocolate on a water bath or in the microwave. Mix it with condensed milk and cottage cheese – use a blender for this. If desired, you can add a filling (candied fruit, nuts or dried fruit). Put the resulting mixture in a mold, put it under the bend and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Custardy cottage cheese Easter

This recipe requires more time, but it is worth it.

Zloženie:

• cottage cheese – 540 g;
• egg yolks – 3 pieces;
• sugar – 100 g;
• butter – 100 g;
• heavy cream – 100 g;
• vanillin – a pinch.

Príprava:

1. Beat cottage cheese, yolks, softened butter and sugar with a mixer.
2. Transfer the resulting mixture into a saucepan and place over medium heat.
3. Heat the mixture until the first bubbles appear, stirring constantly. Turn off the heat, add vanilla, and if the mixture is not homogeneous, whisk it with a blender.
4. Cool the mass by placing the pan in a container with ice water, and then put it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
5. Then lather the cream with a mixer and combine it with the curd mass. If desired, add the filling, mix, lay it out in a mold and put it under gravity.

Curd Easter with boiled condensed milk

Another simple but delicious variant of Easter dessert.

Zloženie:

• cottage cheese – 300 g;
• sour cream – 100 g;
• boiled condensed milk – 100 g;
• butter, softened – 100 g.

Príprava:

1. Whisk all the components with a blender, if desired, add any filler, for example, raisins, candied fruits or nuts.
2. Place the mixture in a mold, put it under a heavy weight and put it away in the refrigerator.