Russia

This recipe is for a cheesecake, it is a not like the sort of cheesecakes you usually see in Britain. It's much better!

Russian Cheesecake

• 500g curd cheese
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons semolina
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 teaspoons sugar
• 1 egg
• vanilla and lemon rind and 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons raisins
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• sour cream for serving

Beat the cheese or put it through a mincer to lighten and smooth it. Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter, the semolina, the salt, the sugar creamed with the egg and the vanilla or lemon. Mix well and add the raisins. Transfer to a well-buttered baking dish, smooth over the top and spread the sour cream over it. Dot with the remaining butter. Bake in a medium to hot oven for 25-30 minutes. Serve hot or cold with more sour cream, which should be fairly liquid and may be diluted with yoghurt, buttermilk or ordinary milk.