Deruny

Deruny, also known as draniki or potato pancakes, are a traditional dish from Eastern European cuisine. Here I will provide a classic recipe but with an Italian twist that may consist of adding a typical Italian aromatic herb, such as basil or rosemary, to give it a unique flavor.

Ingredients

• 5 medium-sized potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Oil for frying
• (Optional) Fresh basil or rosemary, finely chopped

Preparation

1. Peel the potatoes and the onion. Grate both ingredients with a fine-mesh grater into a bowl.
2. Squeeze the grated mixture to remove excess liquid; this will help achieve crispier deruny.
3. Transfer the grated potatoes and onions to a clean bowl and add the egg, flour, salt, and pepper. If you have chosen to use basil or rosemary, add it now to the mixture.
4. Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.
5. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, take a spoonful of the potato mixture and form a pancake, gently placing it in the oil. Press lightly to flatten it.
6. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until both sides are golden and crispy.
7. Drain the deruny on paper towels to remove excess oil.
8. Serve hot, traditionally accompanied by sour cream.

Trivia

Deruny are very versatile and can be served both as an appetizer and as a main course. In Italy, pairing with aromatic herbs is not unusual and could transform this dish into a delicious Italo-Slavic culinary expression.