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Elegant Classic Russian Blini Recipe with Smoked Salmon and Crème Fraîche

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Tender, fluffy Russian blini topped with smoky salmon and creamy crème fraîche, perfect for elegant appetizers or light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g)
  • ½ cup buckwheat flour (60 g)
  • 1 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ¼ cups milk, warmed (whole or 2%)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for frying)
  • 8 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup crème fraîche (can substitute with sour cream)
  • Fresh dill, a few sprigs, chopped (optional)
  • Fresh lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk (about 110°F) with sugar and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, buckwheat flour, and salt.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Add eggs and melted butter. Whisk until smooth and slightly thick but pourable.
  4. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the batter rest in a warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour until bubbles form on the surface.
  5. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a small knob of butter to coat the surface.
  6. Using a small ladle or ¼ cup measuring cup, pour batter into the pan to form small pancakes about 3-4 inches wide.
  7. Cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles appear on top and edges look set. Flip carefully and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes until golden.
  8. Transfer cooked blini to a plate and cover loosely with foil or a clean towel to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter as needed.
  9. To serve, spread a small spoonful of crème fraîche on each blin, top with a slice of smoked salmon, garnish with fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

Use medium heat to avoid burning. Resting the batter is key for tender, airy blini. If batter is too thick after resting, stir in a splash of milk. Butter is essential for flavor but use sparingly to avoid greasiness. Can substitute crème fraîche with sour cream. For dairy-free, use almond or oat milk and dairy-free sour cream alternatives. Gluten-free version can be made with gluten-free flour or 100% buckwheat flour.

Nutrition

Keywords: Russian blini, smoked salmon, crème fraîche, buckwheat pancakes, elegant appetizer, brunch recipe, easy blini recipe

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/elegant-classic-russian-blini-recipe-with-smoked-salmon-and-cr-e-me-fra-i-che-easy-step-by-step-guide/