Mannaya zapekanka is a traditional Eastern European semolina cake, often described as a lighter, fluffier cheesecake, that uses fermented cottage cheese (tvorog) and semolina to create a soft, non-gummy texture. Classic recipes involve mixing cottage cheese, eggs, and semolina, then resting the batter for 10-20 minutes before baking to ensure optimal texture. For a traditional recipe, watch the tutorial at YouTube .