Cottage cheese flan is a creamy and flavorful dish that combines the richness of cottage cheese with a delicate pastry crust. This recipe yields a delicious flan that serves six people, making it ideal for a satisfying meal. The flaky pastry crust is made from a simple mixture of butter, plain flour, salt, and beaten eggs. The filling consists of cottage cheese, additional beaten eggs, sour cream, fresh dill, and a touch of salt. Baked until set and golden, this cottage cheese flan is best served hot, allowing you to enjoy the creamy texture and delightful flavors.
INGREDIENTS:
- 250g/8oz butter, plus extra for greasing
- 175g/6oz plain flour
- Salt
- 2 eggs, beaten, plus 4 extra, separated
- 175ml/6fl oz sour cream
- 900g/2lb cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
PREPARATION:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Grease a 20cm/8in tart tin with a little butter.
- On a work surface, place the plain flour and a pinch of salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the 2 beaten eggs and 150ml/5fl oz of the sour cream. Add 175g/6oz of the butter, which should be cut into pieces. Using your hands, work the ingredients together until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest in a cool place for 1 hour.
- In a bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, the remaining butter, the additional beaten egg yolks, finely chopped dill, and salt to taste.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the 4 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the cottage cheese mixture.
- Line the prepared tart tin with the pastry. Trim the edges, ensuring a neat fit. Spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the pastry.
- Brush the top of the mixture with the remaining sour cream.
- Bake the flan in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.
- Serve the cottage cheese flan hot.
YIELD:
- Serves 6
TIPS:
- For the pastry, make sure to work the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This will result in a tender and flaky crust.
- Adjust the amount of salt in both the pastry and the filling according to your taste preferences. Add more or less as desired.
- If you prefer a more pronounced dill flavor, you can increase the amount of finely chopped fresh dill in the filling.
- When folding the whisked egg whites into the cottage cheese mixture, do so gently to maintain the airiness of the beaten egg whites.
- Serve the cottage cheese flan hot to fully enjoy its creamy texture and flavors. It can be served as a main dish accompanied by a salad or as a delightful appetizer.
- Consider garnishing the flan with additional chopped fresh dill or a dollop of sour cream for added visual appeal.
Cottage cheese flan is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the creaminess of cottage cheese with a delicate pastry crust. This recipe provides a straightforward method for creating a flavorful flan that serves six people. The buttery and flaky pastry crust pairs perfectly with the creamy cottage cheese filling, which includes beaten eggs, sour cream, fresh dill, and a touch of salt. Baked until set and golden, this cottage cheese flan is best enjoyed hot. Serve it as a main course with a side salad or as an appetizer, allowing everyone to appreciate the delightful texture and flavors of this dish.
