Make Ahead

Mushroom Stuffed Draniki

November 22, 2010
4.5
2 Ratings
  • Makes 6
Author Notes

This recipe hails from Belarus - in eastern Europe. Sauteed mushrooms are layered between moist, grated potatoes to make crispy, flavorful draniki (a.k.a. potato pancakes). The secret is to leave them be while cooking. The more you fuss with potato pancakes, the more they break apart and refuse to brown. Also, this version uses the liquid starch that leeches out of the potato to help bind it all together... an old Belarussian technique. - Sasha @ GlobalTableAdventure —Sasha (Global Table Adventure)

Test Kitchen Notes

One bite of Sasha's satisfyingly crispy and ingeniously-stuffed potato pancakes is enough to understand why Belarus chose the latke as its national dish. Perfect for a week-night dinner or winter brunch, these pancakes are hearty but not heavy, crunchy but still tender, and totally addictive when dunked in sour cream. This recipe takes the cake! Note: The batter might seem too wet at first but it allows the pancakes to spread nicely into even circles in the pan, and enables the second layer of batter to coat the mushrooms easily. - Maddy —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Mushroom Filling
  • 1 ounce dried wild mushroom blend
  • 1/4 cup minced red onion
  • 1 teaspoon fresh dill
  • salt & pepper
  • For the Draniki
  • 1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • salt & pepper
  • vegetable oil, for frying
Directions
  1. Rehydrate dried mushrooms according to package directions. Mince and add with onion to a pan with a little oil. Cook over medium heat until soft. Add dill and salt and pepper. Remove from pan and set aside
  2. Shred potatoes using a grater, food processor, or mandoline. Add remaining ingredients and stir together.
  3. Turn the oven on low. Heat about a 1/4 inch layer of oil in a large skillet over medium. Once oil sizzles when you drop a bit of potato in it, begin cooking. Spoon in draniki batter and flatten with a spoon.
  4. Add a small spoonful of the mushroom mixture. Top with more draniki batter.
  5. Cook until browned and no longer sticks to the bottom of the pan (this should take several minutes). Flip and cook on the other side. Hold in a warm oven while the rest of the drakini are cooked. Serve hot with sour cream.
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See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Sasha (Global Table Adventure)
    Sasha (Global Table Adventure)
  • Sagegreen
    Sagegreen
  • drbabs
    drbabs
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames

5 Reviews

Sasha (. December 2, 2010
Thanks everyone! Antonia, I just used regular idaho/baking potatoes. Hope you enjoy!
 
Sagegreen November 28, 2010
Having just visited Belarus this fall, I am partial to your mushroom and draniki recipe!
 
drbabs November 22, 2010
yum!
 
AntoniaJames November 22, 2010
BTW, what variety of potatoes do you use for these? Thanks so much. ;o)
 
AntoniaJames November 22, 2010
I have a savory duxelles that I put up in four-ounce jars, which would be just perfect in these. Cannot wait to try this recipe!! ;o)