Buckwheat Blini With Caviar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you serve caviar on blini? ›

Add a dollop of sour cream onto each Blini. Top with a spoonful of Caviar and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill. Enjoy these right away, or keep them stored in the refrigerator. and that's it!

Blini (plural blinis or blini, rarely bliny; Russian: блины pl.), singular: blin, are an Eastern European pancake made from various kinds of flour or buckwheat, wheat, etc. They may be served with smetana, tvorog, caviar and other garnishes, or simply smeared with butter.

In the States, when we think of Russian blini, we commonly associate them with small buckwheat-flour pancakes, to be paired with smoked fish and caviar.

A bellini is a refreshing co*cktail made with peach nectar and prosecco. A blini is typically a bite-size pancake often served with smoked salmon or caviar due to its Russian origins. Both are delicious in very different ways and yet sound almost exactly the same (like a hom*ophone).

Blinis are best eaten warm from the pan, otherwise they can go rather stodgy, so either serve them in batches as you make them, or store them in a warm oven, wrapped in a tea towel to keep them soft, until you've used up all the batter. They can also be frozen once cooked: defrost and microwave briefly to reheat.

Traditional Caviar Service

But for a classic caviar service, serve with yeasted blini, and small bowls containing chopped chives, hard-boiled eggs (some will serve yolk and white separately), capers, crème fraîche, and diced onions so guests can choose the accompaniments they like.

From traditional dishes like blinis with caviar and sour cream to more modern dishes like caviar-topped deviled eggs or caviar-infused butter, Russian chefs are finding new and creative ways to use this luxurious ingredient.

Blinis can be served as is, or with savoury or sweet additions. Serving suggestions include boiled fish, salmon, smoked sturgeon, salted and marinated herring, fish salad, marinated mushrooms, caviar, grated cheese, sliced eggs, fish pastes, and sauces.

The size of the Russian Blinis are 3.5 cm in diameter, almost equivalent to that of a quarter coin. These savory Buckwheat Pancakes are a delightful accompaniment to such classic favorites as Caviar or smoked salmon.

In every difficult period in Russia, there is a “buckwheat panic.” Buckwheat is popular for good reason. It is easy to prepare. Experienced housewives say that you can even prepare it without heat — just pour cold water over buckwheat groats in the evening and in the morning they'll be ready to eat.

How do Russians eat buckwheat? ›

A common staple food, “gretchka” as it is called in Russian, features in the morning as groats or porridge for breakfast. It can also be a side dish for meat and fish during the day and a stand-alone dish with mushrooms or made into a pancake.

In a crêperie you'll often have the “galettes” first, sometimes called “galettes de sarrasin” (buckwheat pancakes) or “crêpes salées” (salted/savoury pancakes) which will be similar to this recipe.

Blini are feathery light, wonderfully yeasty pancakes that hail from Russia but have found their way to Paris and beyond. Served with red caviar, smoked salmon or simply sour cream and dill, they make a spectacular starter for a festive meal.

pancakes made with yeast and either white or buckwheat flour and traditionally served during Shrovetide with caviar and sour cream.

Traditionally they are served with sour cream, melted butter, caviar, and fruits or berries varenie (compote). Over the last thousand years, much has changed in the process of cooking blini and many traditions have been linked to Russian pancakes.

Caviar is often served on lightly-buttered dry toasts, unsalted crackers, or bread (crunchy baguette) with creme fraiche. You can also opt for the traditional way and eat caviar with mini pancakes known as “blinis”.

Traditionally, caviar is served on top of blinis, which are mini Russian pancakes made from buckwheat. The blinis act as an edible dish that has a discreet flavor. In this way, they are perfect for serving caviar as a canapé.