Potato pancakes, known as draniki or deruny in Slavic cuisine, are a beloved dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. These classic old-world pancakes are made by grating raw potatoes into the batter, resulting in a unique and delicious texture.
While traditional draniki are delightful on their own, we will take them to the next level by adding a tasty meat filling. Inspired by one of our favorite bloggers, Olga, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. So, let’s dive into the ultimate draniki recipe and learn how to make these mouthwatering stuffed potato pancakes!
Ingredients for Stuffed Potato Pancakes (Draniki)
To make these stuffed potato pancakes, you will need the following ingredients:
For the Potato Pancakes:
- 5 medium potatoes (Yukon gold works well), peeled
- 1 medium onion, peeled and divided
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Cooking oil (light olive oil is recommended)
For the Meat Filling:
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 tablespoon grated onion (reserved from the potato grating step)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper, or to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions for making these delicious stuffed potato pancakes.
Step 1: Grate the Potatoes and Onion
Start by grating the potatoes on the star grater into a large bowl. The consistency should resemble applesauce. If excess potato liquid floats to the top, use a spoon to skim off about 1 tablespoon.
Next, grate the onion into the same bowl, reserving 1 tablespoon of grated onion for the meat filling. The onion helps prevent the potatoes from browning.
Step 2: Prepare the Potato Pancake Batter
Add the egg, flour, sour cream, salt, and black pepper to the grated potatoes and onion. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and create a smooth batter.
Step 3: Make the Meat Filling
In a separate bowl, mix together the ground pork, reserved grated onion, salt, and black pepper to taste. Form the mixture into 16 skinny patties and set them aside on a clean surface.
Step 4: Cook the Stuffed Potato Pancakes
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, spoon 1 tablespoon of the potato batter into the skillet, flattening it out. Place a thin meat patty on top and cover it with another tablespoon of potato batter.
Sauté the pancake until the potatoes are golden brown, then flip and continue cooking until both sides are golden brown and the meat is cooked through. This process should take about 4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining batter and meat, adding more oil as needed.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked, transfer the stuffed potato pancakes to a paper-towel lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Serve them warm with a dollop of sour cream.
Tips and Variations
- If the potato batter starts to develop excess liquid between batches, give it a quick stir to prevent excessive splattering when cooking.
- You can get creative with the meat filling and substitute ground beef, chicken, or turkey for the ground pork.
- These stuffed potato pancakes can be enjoyed on their own as a main dish or served as a side dish with a salad or other accompaniments.
- To add an extra layer of flavor, consider incorporating herbs such as dill or chives into the potato batter.
