Blinis, traditional Russian yeast-risen pancakes, hold a special place in Russian cuisine. These small, fluffy pancakes are often served as an appetizer or snack, and they can be topped with a variety of ingredients, both savory and sweet. A popular variation on the classic blini is the cocktail blini, which is a smaller version of the traditional pancake that is typically served with a savory topping such as caviar or smoked salmon. Cocktail blinis are a delicious and elegant way to start a party or special occasion, and they are sure to impress your guests.
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COCKTAIL BLINIS
These dainty little Eastern European pancakes have a distinctive flavour and are party perfect. Finish with two toppings - beetroot and quail's egg, and smoked salmon pâté - for a creative canapé
Provided by Cassie Best
Categories Canapes
Time 1h
Yield 8 (makes about 32)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat the milk in a saucepan until just steaming, then remove from the heat and stir in the sugar and butter, swirling until the butter melts. Tip the flours and yeast into a bowl and season with 1/4 tsp salt. Make a well in the middle and pour in the milk mixture and the egg yolks. Whisk until you have a smooth batter, then cover with cling film and set aside for 1 hr (if you want to make the blinis ahead and freeze them, jump to step 4).
- Meanwhile, prepare the toppings. Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add the quail's eggs and cook for 2 1/2 mins. Drain the eggs and run under cold water, then leave to cool completely. Tip the beetroot and cream cheese into a food processor and season with a pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Whizz to a purée, then scrape into a bowl and chill until ready to serve.
- For the salmon topping, flake the salmon into a bowl, add the cream cheese, lemon zest and juice, and horseradish, if using. Mash everything together with a fork, then chill until ready to serve. Peel the cucumber into long strips using a vegetable peeler, discarding the seedy middle part, and pop into a bowl of cold water.
- Check the blini batter - it should be bubbly on the surface. Tip the egg whites into a bowl and whisk until they hold soft peaks. Add to the blini batter and gently fold together, trying to keep as much air in the mixture as possible.
- Get a wire rack or two ready to cool the blinis (this will prevent them from going soggy when cooling). Heat a knob of butter and a drizzle of oil in a large pan (if you have two pans, this will speed things up). When the butter is foaming, spoon tablespoons of the batter into the pan, leaving space between each one as they will spread a little. Cook over a medium heat until bubbles pop on the surface and the undersides are golden brown. Flip over and cook for 1-2 mins more, then transfer to the rack to cool. Wipe out the pan and continue cooking the remaining blinis in the same way. Will keep in an airtight container for 1 day, or freeze the cooked blinis on a baking tray covered with cling film, then foil, for up to a month. Defrost at room temperature before topping.
- To assemble, top half the blinis with the beetroot purée, peel and halve the eggs and place them on top, then scatter with cress and season with a little black pepper. Top the remaining blinis with the salmon pâté. Dry the cucumber slices well and ruffle each piece back on itself, then squash firmly between your fingers so it lays flat. Place them on top of the salmon, add a tiny blob of caviar and eat as soon as possible, preferably with glasses of fizz!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Fat 21 grams fat, SaturatedFat 12 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 18 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 3 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 13 grams protein, Sodium 1.5 milligram of sodium
BELLINI COCKTAIL
Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network
Categories beverage
Time 5m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Place 1 tablespoon white peach puree into the bottom of a Champagne flute. Fill the glass with Prosecco or Champagne.
CLASSIC BELLINI COCKTAIL
The Bellini was created in the late 1930s to early 1940s by Guiseppe Cipriani at the legendary Harry's Bar in Venice, a favorite hangout for expats including Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, and Orson Welles. The fruity cocktail owes its name and color to Cipriani's fascination with Giovanni Bellini, a 15th-century Venetian artist. Originally prepared with Prosecco and white peach puree, it's perfectly acceptable to use yellow peach puree or prepared peach nectar and/or peach schnapps. Sip and feel sophisticated!
Provided by ScandoGirl
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 5m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Pour peach juice into a champagne flute. Slowly pour sparkling wine over peach juice; let sit until liquids have blended, about 1 minute. Pour raspberry juice over champagne mixture.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 136.1 calories, Carbohydrate 12.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.3 g, Sodium 10.7 mg, Sugar 2 g
BLINIS
Steps:
- Cream the yeast with a little milk, then add the remaining milk, the egg yolks and sour cream.
- Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and add the yeast mixture. Stir to make a thick batter. Leave for at least 1 hour in a warm place. The batter should now look bubbly. Stir well. Just before cooking, whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the batter.
- Heat a little oil in the pan and pour off any excess. Then pour in a tablespoon of batter. Turn the pancake over when it shows bubbles on the top side. Cook lots. One bliny is never enough.
Tips:
- Mise en place: Make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready before you start cooking. This will help you stay organized and avoid any mishaps.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better your blini will taste. Look for fresh, ripe fruits and vegetables, and use high-quality dairy products and flour.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make your blini tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Cook the blini over medium heat: Cooking the blini over medium heat will help them cook evenly and prevent them from burning.
- Serve the blini immediately: Blini are best served immediately after they are cooked. This is when they are at their freshest and most flavorful.
Conclusion:
Blini are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served with a variety of toppings, from sweet to savory, making them a perfect option for any occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make delicious blini at home. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give blini a try!
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