A traditional Romanian one-of-a-kind dessert!

Traditional Romanian Macaroni and Cheese Pudding (Budincă cu Brânză)

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 lb (454 g) cut macaroni or your choice of pasta
2. 1 lb (454 g) cottage cheese (branză de vaci)
3. 3 beatten eggs
4. 1 cup (250 ml) plain yogourt or sour cream
5. 3/4 cup (about 100 g) powdered sugar
6. 3/4 (about 200 g) raisins (optional)
7. 3 tbsp wheat semolina
8. 2 tbsp unt
9. 1 tbs flour
10. 1 tsp vanilla powder or extract
11. pinch of salt

PREPARATION

1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
2. Cook the pasta according to the minimum time suggested by the manufacturer, or about 5 minutes in boiling water. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
3. Put the pasta in a bowl and mix in gradually in the order the cheese, beatten eggs, yogourt or sour cream, sugar, raisins (if desired), wheat semolina, vanilla, and salt. Mix until you get a homogeneous composition.
4. Grease a pan with 1 tbsp of butter and line with the flour. Pour in the pasta mixture and grease the top with the other tbsp of butter to give the pudding a golden color.
5. Cook the pudding for 45 minutes.
6. Serve hot or cold, as desired.