Blini

Name: Blini
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Russia
Ingredients: Milk — 480 ml (16 fl oz); Eggs — 2; Flour — 190 g (6.5 oz); Sugar — 2 tbsp; Melted butter, plus extra for cooking — 2 tbsp; Salt — 1/2 tsp; Sour cream, jam, honey or caviar, to serve

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Servings

Ingredients

Milk — 480 ml (16 fl oz)
Eggs — 2
Flour — 190 g (6.5 oz)
Sugar — 2 tbsp
Melted butter, plus extra for cooking — 2 tbsp
Salt — 1/2 tsp
Sour cream, jam, honey or caviar, to serve

Method

Whisk the milk and eggs together.
Gradually whisk in the flour, sugar and salt until a smooth, thin batter forms.
Whisk in the melted butter.
Heat a little butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
Pour a thin layer of batter into the pan, swirling to coat the base evenly.
Cook for 1–2 minutes per side until lightly golden.
Repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the cooked blini.
Serve warm with your choice of toppings.

Introduction: Thin, delicate pancakes traditionally served with a variety of sweet or savoury toppings, an essential Russian dish especially associated with Maslenitsa.

Cultural Background: Blini hold deep symbolic meaning in Russian culture, their round, golden shape historically representing the sun, and they remain the centrepiece of Maslenitsa, the pre-Lenten pancake festival celebrating the arrival of spring.

Tips: The batter should be quite thin, similar to a crepe batter, for the classic delicate blini texture. Keep the pan lightly buttered between each blini for even cooking and easy release.

Variations: Serve with savoury toppings like smoked salmon and sour cream, or sweet options like jam and honey. Fold or roll around a filling for a more substantial presentation.

Storage: Store cooled blini stacked with parchment between them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheating: Reheat briefly in a dry pan over low heat, or in a microwave for a few seconds.

FAQs:

Q: What is Maslenitsa?

A: A week-long Russian festival celebrating the end of winter and arrival of spring, with blini as its central, symbolic food representing the sun.

Q: What toppings are most traditional?

A: Sour cream, jam, honey and, for special occasions, caviar or smoked fish.