Draniki Tower

Background and History of Draniki

The traditional dish known as draniki has roots that trace back to Eastern Europe, predominantly in Belarus. This dish is a staple in Belarusian cuisine and is similar to potato pancakes found in other cultures. The word "draniki" itself comes from the verb "dryi" in Belarusian, which means "to grate," referencing the method used to prepare the potatoes for the dish. Historically, draniki was a humble meal enjoyed by peasants, thanks to the simplicity and availability of its core ingredient, the potatoes.

Evolution of the Draniki Recipe

Over time, the recipe for draniki has seen various iterations and enhancements. While the basic recipe consists of grated potatoes, onions, and eggs combined and fried into small pancakes, modern versions often feature ingredients like bacon or cheese. The idea of layering these pancakes into a tower adds a modern twist, appealing to contemporary culinary aesthetics while maintaining its rustic roots.

Ingredients for Draniki Tower

• Potatoes - 1 kg
• Onion - 1 large
• Egg - 2
• All-purpose flour - 100 g
• Salt - To taste
• Black pepper - To taste
• Sour cream - To serve
• Dill - For garnishing
• Bacon - 200 g, chopped
• Cheese - 150 g, grated
• Vegetable oil - For frying

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preparing the Potatoes

Start with peeling the potatoes. Grate them using a large-holed grater or a food processor to save time. After grating, the key step is to squeeze out the excess water from the grated potatoes. This helps ensure the draniki are not too soggy.

2. Preparing the Onion

Grate the onion and mix it thoroughly with the grated potatoes. The onion adds flavor and helps in keeping the grated potatoes from darkening.

3. Binding the Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the potato-onion mixture with eggs, flour, salt, and black pepper. Mix until you have a homogeneous batter. This step binds everything together to prevent the pancakes from falling apart during frying.

4. Frying the Draniki

Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Place spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, spreading them slightly to form circle shapes. Cook until they are golden brown on both sides. Expect each side to take about 3-4 minutes. Keep the cooking timer handy to avoid burning. Transfer the cooked draniki to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Building the Draniki Tower

1. Prepping the Fillings

Fry the bacon in a separate pan until crispy. Once done, let it rest on a paper towel to drain off excess grease. Grate the cheese into a bowl, mixing in the crispy bacon for added flavor layers in your tower.

2. Building Layers

On a serving plate, place a draniki as the base layer. Spread a dollop of sour cream over the pancake, then sprinkle with the bacon-cheese mixture. Repeat this step until all the pancakes are layered into a delightful, towering structure. Cap it with a generous amount of sour cream and finely chopped dill for that pop of color and added freshness.

Enjoying Your Draniki Tower

The Draniki Tower is best enjoyed while still warm, allowing the cheese to remain melted and the flavors to blend wonderfully. It serves as both a visual and culinary delight at any meal occasion, from family dinners to festive gatherings. Pair it with a light salad or a pickle for contrast in flavors and textures.