Oladi (Russian Buttermilk Pancakes()

Ingredients

500 ml (2 cups) kefir plain
1 egg
2 T sugar
1/2 t salt
350 g (2 1/3 cups) all purpose flour
1/2 t baking soda
Powdered sugar

Method

In a large bowl mix kefir, an egg, sugar and salt with a whisk.

In a separate bowl mix flour and baking soda. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and stir to combine. The batter will be thick! Let it sit for 15 minutes without stirring.

Heat a non-stick pan with enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan up to 1 cm/1/3 inch deep. Drop kefir pancakes with a large spoon or a small ice-cream scoop into hot oil and fry on one side until golden and the batter is cooked halfway through, then flip carefully taking care not to splash hot oil. Use two spatulas if necessary. The pancakes will puff up as soon as you flip them over. Maintain medium heat to ensure each pancake is cooked all the way through as they are going to be tall. (Add oil throughout the frying process as needed.)

Serve dusted with powdered sugar, whipped cream or smetana/creme fraiche and fresh fruit.