Blinis with Caviar

Blinis are small Russian-origin pancakes that are usually served as an appetizer, often accompanied by caviar, sour cream, and other ingredients. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 125 g of all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 150 ml of lukewarm milk
• 10 g of fresh yeast
• A pinch of salt
• 20 g of melted butter
• Caviar to serve
• A teaspoon of sour cream (optional for serving)

Preparation

1. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk.
2. In a larger bowl, mix the flour with the salt. Make a well in the center and add the egg and melted butter.
3. Gradually incorporate the mixture of milk and yeast, stirring until you have a smooth batter. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm place for at least an hour, until it doubles in volume.
4. Heat a non-stick pan and lightly grease with butter. Pour small amounts of batter to form the blinis and cook until golden brown on both sides.
5. Serve the blinis warm or at room temperature with a spoonful of caviar on each one. If you like, you can also add a touch of sour cream.

Curiosity

Russian tradition has it that blinis represent the sun, due to their round and golden shape. They are particularly popular during the Maslenitsa festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring.

In a more Italian note, you might try drizzling some extra virgin olive oil over the dish to enhance the flavors, even though it’s not a traditional pairing. Caviar is a rich and salty ingredient, so good quality oil could add a pleasant dimension to the dish.