Пасха — Farmer's Cheese Paschal Dessert

Пасха (paskha) is the sweet pyramid of spiced farmer's cheese served alongside the kulich — a perfect
complement of soft, cool, rich cheese to the dense sweet bread. Traditionally moulded in a wooden
pyramid stamped with the letters ХВ (Христос Воскресе — Christ is Risen).

FASTING LEVEL: Non-Fasting (entirely dairy — farmer's cheese, butter, cream, eggs)

SERVINGS: 10
TIME: 1 hour active (plus 24 hours draining)

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 kg dry farmer's cheese (tvorog) — the drier the better, press out excess whey
- 200 g unsalted butter, softened
- 200 g sour cream, full fat
- 4 egg yolks
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 100 g candied fruits (orange peel, cherries, citron), chopped
- 50 g raisins, soaked in warm water
- 50 g slivered almonds, lightly toasted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon

METHOD:
1. Press the farmer's cheese through a fine sieve twice — this is the secret to silky paskha, no lumps.
2. In a small saucepan, whisk egg yolks with sugar over very low heat (or over a double boiler) until thickened and pale, about 5-8 minutes. Do not let it curdle. Cool completely.
3. Beat softened butter with sour cream until smooth.
4. Combine sieved cheese, butter-sour cream mixture, cooled egg-sugar mixture, vanilla, and lemon zest. Beat gently until uniform.
5. Fold in candied fruits, raisins, and almonds.
6. Line a paskha mould (traditional pyramid-shaped wooden form) or a clean flowerpot/colander with several layers of damp cheesecloth.
7. Spoon the mixture into the lined mould. Fold the cheesecloth over the top. Place a weight (a can of beans works) on top.
8. Set the mould over a bowl (to catch draining whey) and refrigerate for 24 hours. Drain the bowl periodically.
9. To serve: unfold cheesecloth, invert onto a plate, and carefully peel away the cloth. Serve sliced into wedges alongside kulich.

NOTES:
- The cook-the-yolks method (called заварная паша) yields the best keeping quality — raw-yolk versions will not last as long. The heat pasteurises the yolks.
- Dry tvorog is essential. If yours is wet, wrap it in cheesecloth and let it drain overnight before using.
- Press the letters ХВ into the side of the pyramid with a butter knife before serving — this is the traditional greeting "Christos Voskrese" (Christ is Risen).
- Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, well-wrapped.

NUTRITION (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 385 | Protein: 13 g | Carbohydrates: 28 g | Fat: 26 g | Fibre: 1 g