Lazy pancakes

Russian Shrovetide is known as Maslenitsa (from the word "maslo", i.e. butter), a religious and folk holiday celebrated the week before the Great Lent. During Shrovetide week, meat is already forbidden to the Russian Orthodox Christians. This week is also known as a myasopustnaya nedelya (lit. meat-free). This is the last week in which dairy products like milk, cheese and butter are permitted.

Maslenitsa (Shrovetide Tuesday) by Boris Kustodiev, 1916

We love pancakes, and eat them all year round, not just on the Pancake Day or week. Today I fancied some different fillings for pancakes, but didn't want to spend too much time folding them into neat envelopes, making the stuffed variety (see my previous post on blinchatye pirozhki).
The recipe I am offering you today is called Lazy Pancakes.
Why lazy? The name refers to an easy version of the pancake pies, meaning even a lazy cook can make them.

Lazy pancake

Lazy pancakes
Ingredients (for 8 pancakes):
3 eggs
125 ml milk
2 tbsp plain yogurt
100g self-raising flour
pinch of salt
25g butter, melted (for the batter) + more for frying

For the sweet filling (depends on the amount of pancakes you made)
2tsp of cottage cheese per pancake
1tsp chopped dried fruit (use apricots or any other dried mixed fruit: raisins, dates etc)

For the savoury filling
2 tsp of cottage cheese (per pancake)
1 tsp of chopped walnuts
1 tbsp chopped coriander
chopped garlic (optional)

Start by pouring the batter in the well oiled pan. Place the filling on one side, leaving a border.

Fold the pancake while it is still uncooked inside, as you want the edges to merge.
Fry on both sides until golden. Serve the sweet pancake with a bit of icing sugar on top.

If making the savory variety, do exactly the same step-by-step, by adding the cottage cheese with chopped walnuts and coriander (you might also add a bit of chopped garlic)

Again fry on both sides until golden. Serve hot.

Try different stuffing/filling varieties, by miixing cooked rice with the fruit compote or grated cheese with ricotta.

If you are looking for more pancake recipes and ideas, there is a fabulous selection of mouthwatering pancakes on Good to Know site.
There is also a pancake recipe competition on Good to Know, follow this link to find out more.

Lovely blogger Actually Mummy offers another feast for eyes with her pancake linky.

Another inspiring foodie blogger A Mummy Too is inviting everyone to submit recipes to her Recipe of the Week linky.