Description
Russian Blini are delicate, thin pancakes typically served stuffed with either savory or sweet fillings. Made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, and milk, these blini are cooked on a skillet until golden and then filled with cottage cheese and smoked salmon for a classic savory option or Nutella and fruit jam for a delightful sweet version. Perfect as an appetizer or dessert, they are traditionally served warm with toppings like sour cream, jam, or honey.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blini:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/4 cups milk (preferably warm)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp active dry yeast (optional, for fluffier blini)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Savory Filling:
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (or farmer’s cheese)
- 1/4 cup smoked salmon (or ham), finely chopped
- Fresh dill (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sweet Filling:
- 1/2 cup Nutella or fruit jam (such as strawberry or raspberry)
- Fresh fruit (optional, for garnish)
For the Topping (optional):
- Sour cream
- Jam
- Honey
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar thoroughly to form the dry base for the blini batter.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients and Yeast: In another bowl, whisk together the warm milk, water, eggs, and melted butter. If using yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk first and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Combine and Rest Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients while whisking continuously until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Allow the batter to rest for 20-30 minutes to develop flavor and texture.
- Heat Skillet and Oil: Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly brush it with vegetable oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Cook the Blini: Pour 2-3 tablespoons of batter into the skillet and swirl gently to spread into a thin, even layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes on one side until the edges lift and the bottom is golden.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Flip the blini carefully using a spatula and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Repeat this process for all the batter.
- Prepare the Filling: For the savory filling, mix cottage cheese with finely chopped smoked salmon, season with salt, pepper, and fresh dill if using. For the sweet filling, prepare desired spread such as Nutella or fruit jam.
- Assemble Blini: Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each cooked blini and fold sides over or roll it up to enclose the filling neatly.
- Serve: Serve the stuffed blini warm, with optional toppings like sour cream, additional jam, honey, or fresh fruit garnish for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- If using yeast, be sure the milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- Resting the batter is key to achieving tender blini with mild fluffiness, especially if yeast is used.
- You can substitute cottage cheese with farmer’s cheese or ricotta for a different texture.
- Adjust the fillings and toppings according to preference for customization of sweet or savory flavors.
- Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned pan to avoid blini sticking and breaking.
- Blini can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator; reheat gently on a skillet before serving.
