Alivenci is a dish so beloved by children that it’s even mentioned in Ion Creanza’s "Capra cu Trei Iezi" (The goat and the three kids). It belongs to the culinary tradition of the Moldavian part of Romania and can be served as a main course or as dessert.

Ingredients: 


1 litre milk 

300 gr cornmeal (polenta)
1/2 kg fresh farmer’s cheese, such as ricotta
or cream cheese
1/4 litre heavy (double) cream
100 gr butter

50 gr flour

4-5 eggs, yolks separated from whites
1 tsp salt 




Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pour the milk in a heavy and deep saucepan. Add butter and salt and cook over low heat.

When the mixture starts to boil, add the cornmeal and cook for another 5 minutes, mixing carefully and thoroughly so to avoid lumps. Remove from heat.

When cool, add cheese, heavy cream, egg yolks and flour. Mix well.

Beat the egg whites until stiff and carefully fold into the mixture.

Pour into a floured and buttered pan and bake for around 40 minutes, or until golden and firm.

Remove from the oven, cool slightly and cut in suqares.

Lovely to eat warm, with whipped cream on top.

Anca Gliz