Description
Ina Garten’s delicate blini showcase Russian culinary elegance with miniature pancakes perfect for elegant gatherings. Delightful silver dollar-sized treats topped with sour cream and caviar promise a sophisticated appetizer that delights sophisticated palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 200 milliliters (6.8 fluid ounces) buttermilk
- 1 egg, separated
- 20 grams (0.7 ounces) melted butter
- 50 grams (1.8 ounces) buckwheat flour
- 25 grams (0.9 ounces) plain all-purpose flour
- Butter for frying
Leavening and Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon caster or superfine sugar
- 1 pinch bicarbonate of soda
- 1 pinch salt
Serving Accompaniments:
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Crab or caviar
- Lemon jam
Instructions
- Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and baking soda in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- In a separate measuring pitcher, thoroughly whisk together buttermilk, unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled), and single egg yolk until perfectly blended.
- Create a central depression in the dry ingredient mixture and gradually introduce the liquid components in two separate additions, stirring methodically to achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. Use a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate any potential flour clusters.
- Using a clean electric mixer with pristine whisks, beat egg whites and a pinch of salt until they transform into a voluminous, glossy meringue-like texture with pronounced, rigid peaks.
- Incorporate the whipped egg whites into the primary batter using a delicate folding technique, working in three measured stages to maintain the mixture’s airy structure and prevent deflation.
- Prepare a non-stick skillet or griddle by heating it over medium temperature, then reducing to a gentle low-medium setting. Lightly grease the cooking surface with a thin layer of butter, ensuring even coverage.
- Carefully ladle approximately 60 milliliters () of batter onto the heated surface, aiming for circular pancakes around 6 centimeters (2.3 inches) in diameter. Allow cooking until numerous small bubbles emerge across the surface, typically requiring 1-2 minutes.
- Once the pancake’s edges appear golden and slightly firm, use a spatula to gently flip the pancake, cooking the opposite side until it develops a similar warm, golden-brown hue.
Notes
- Precise egg white whipping creates airy, delicate blinis with incredible lightness.
- Gentle heat control ensures golden-brown edges and perfectly cooked centers without burning.
- Fresh blinis taste best when served straight from the pan, maintaining their warm, soft texture.
- Customize your blinis with creative toppings like smoked salmon, crème fraîche, or sweet berry compotes.
- Practice makes perfect – don’t get discouraged if first attempts aren’t restaurant-quality.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Russian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 92 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3.3 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg