I cannot express how happy I am to be invited to do a guest post for Chef Dennis, even though I have not met him in person , I have known him through the blogosphere for a year now. It’s been a pleasure reading his great writings and learning lots from him . He is indeed a chef who is loved by many for his generosity in sharing with us his 35 years of cooking experiences on his amazing blog.
I am Elin from Malaysia , a country famous for its plethora of food choices. I am a full time working mom with two grown up kids. I affectionately call them my Piggies for they really love to eat and sleep when they are back home for their semester breaks! Baking is a passion that runs deep in me and I love to cook and experiment with different spices and ingredients in creating delicious flavors from the east and west for my Piggies and my other half bacon – the Wild Boar as I love to address him. Food blogging has become my second passion after baking and cooking and it is through this passion that our path meets, Chef Dennis and myself 🙂
Today, with great pleasure, I am going to introduce you to a Bliny recipe that will have you drooling over it. Bliny are Russian pancakes made with a yeasted dough. They are traditionally served with a minced meat or sour cream filling, but they have become popular in the West , served with créme fraiche and smoked salmon. This Russian pancake has a soft texture and yet they have a slight springy texture when you chew on it . It also goes well with any fillings. You can have sweet or savory fillings for this pancake . For the savory ones, you can have créme fraiche and smoked salmon or egg sandwich fillings . For the sweet ones, you can have créme fraiche with cranberry sauce or any other fruity sauce. That was what I served my Piggies for their brunch . A Russian pancake treat for your family and friends that will surely wow them with second helpings :)) Though the proofing takes a bit of time, the end result is a soft and springy pancake. The texture is so different from other types of pancake , thus it is worth your while to make this for your family.
A stack of soft and yet springy texture Bliny
Bliny – ( adapted from 500 pizza and flatbreads )
( makes 10-12 small or 6 large bliny. Serves 2-3 )
Ingredients :
115 g ( 4 oz) plain flour
5ml ( 1 tsp ) salt
175 ml ( 6 fl oz ) milk
6.25 ml ( 1 ¼ tsp ) active dried yeast
2 large eggs, separated
75 ml ( 5 tbsp ) sour cream, créme fraiche or whipping cream
grape seed oil, for greasing pan
Method:
Combine flour and salt in a medium bowl. Warm the milk in a saucepan . Remove from heat and sprinkle yeast over. Add egg yolks and sour cream to saucepan. Stir to blend. Slowly pour milk mixture into flour, stirring until batter is smooth. Cover bowl with cling film and place in a warm spot for 1 1/2 hours, until batter is foamy.
Beat egg whites in standing mixer with whisk attachment, until soft peaks form. Carefully fold egg whites into batter. Cover with cling film and return to warm spot for additional 2 hours.
To cook bliny, lightly coat a large frying pan with rapeseed oil. Pour 45 ml ( 3 tbsp) batter for small bliny or 90ml ( 6tbsp ) for large onto hot frying pan and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side, depending on the size of your bliny, until golden brown. Serve hot with topping of your choice .
Enjoy !
Thank you , Chef Dennis for giving me this privilege to write on your wonderful blog.
Thank you Elin for such a wonderful post!! Thanks so much to all of you for stopping by today, I do appreciate your support! Now before you forget go on over to ElinLuv’s Sweet Delights and say hi to Elin, just remember to tell her Piggy Chef Dennis sent you!
Last but not least, I would like to announce the winner of the CSN $100 gift certificate!!!
Congratulations go to Elisabeth from Food Thrift and Finds, if you haven’t met Elisabeth yet, make sure you stop by and say hello.
Have a wonderful weekend, Stay Warm and Stay Full!
Maranda says
That looks so delicious! I love how the bliny are like a savory pancake. Thanks for sharing!
Lin Ann says
Oops, I must have been reading too fast the other day when I commented, I didn't realize it was a guest post! But, still, it looks like something I'd love to make!
Rita says
Thanks for this post, Elin, and thanks to Chef Dennis, too for guestingyour post. It was an amazing recipe!
To Chef Dennis: you're so lucky to have spring coming early… It was bad weather in Italy on Feb,2 so… spring for us it's still far away…:(
Elin says
Hi to all my new friends here,
thank you for the lovely words and encouragement you leave here on Dennis's blog 🙂 I love reading everyone of them and it is truly an encouragement to me 🙂 Hope to share more good recipes with you all on my blog . Thanks for the great support for this guest post.
Cheers,
Elin
denise @ bread expectations says
Hi Elin 🙂 Your blinis look wonderful! I love yeast cookery and am very tempted to try your recipe. Love the many serving suggestions and the gorgeous photos!!
Kita says
What a pretty bliny, Elin! Great guest post.
Chef Dennis, its my first time here is a few days, but I love the new layout. Its great.
a. maren says
oh the look of that smoked salmon and creme fraiche had my mouth watering! these look wonderful, i had heard of blinies but never tried them before. thanks for the interesting recipe.
http://www.icyviolets.blogspot.com
Spicie Foodie says
Chef Dennis, I also can't wait for Spring. The days have started to get longer here but unfortunately the weather won't turn Springy until mid May 🙁
To Elin, what a fantastic recipe and great guest post. Thanks for sharing your yummy bliny recipe.
whatsfordinneracrossstatelines says
Thanks for introducing us to Elin! I really like the idea of the egg salad on top of the bliny. So glad the snow has stopped. I think the ground hog may be right, we are starting to see the first signs of spring over here! I will have to go say hi to Elin. Happy Valentines Day!
-Gina-
A multi-dimensional life says
Elin, it is nice to meet you and thank you for sharing these mouth watering recipes. I love the sound of each of these…and your photos are beautiful! Thank you Dennis, for introducing us to Elin and I hope you are enjoying every moment of the week-end.
Eagerly waiting for Spring!!! Blessings!
Zurin says
Congratulations Elin! And what beautiful photos! The blinis looks delish :)) n who doent love smoked salmon!
Monet says
Hi Elin! It is lovely to meet you. I admire you already as a working mom! And these blinys look just amazing. I love how versatile they are…there are so many ways to serve them (I think I would prefer the sweet version the most!) I hope you both have a wonderful Sunday. Rest, rejuvenate and spread some love!
Mother Rimmy says
I really like the variations you've provided. Savory and sweet. It inspires me to try my hand at it!
Kristi
lifeinarecipe says
Another great guest post! We love to eat our blini with sour cream and strawberry jam…yum!
mangiabella says
wow elin, this bliny looks amazing, and I LOVE the creme fraiche addition!!!!! can't wait to check out your blog 🙂
lena says
hi elin, this bliny looks so delighting, i wld love both the sweet and savoury ones and the one that you put up there with salmon and creme fraiche really gets me drooling!
hello dennis, nice to knw abt your blog, just came over from elin's site..err, so can i say elin sent me here?
Jennifer-Adventuresome Kitchen says
Wow! I've always wondered how blinis were made and why they were so much better than pancakes. What a delightful recipe!
Claudia says
What a delightful posting! I adore blinis and love the way it was presented. Creme fraiche and salmon – here I come!
Cheryl and Adam @ pictureperfectmeals.com says
Creme fraiche and smoked salmon!Too good! All these recipes look simply delicious. Thank you Elin for sharing them with us and thanks Chef Dennis for sharing Elin!
Georgia (The Comfort of Cooking) says
Elin, your photos are making my mouth water! Wow! What a wonderful looking dish and an interesting new food to introduce Chef Dennis' readers to. Thank you, Dennis, for sharing this wonderful guest post!
Michael Toa says
Those blinis look amazing. Another great guest post Chef. Thank you for introducing me to another blogger.
And congrats to Elisabeth! 🙂
savoringeverybite says
These look so yummy! I have never made a bliny before, but I'm tempted to now, especially with the smoked salmon!
ladymorgiana says
Hey ELin 🙂 Those blinies look so mouth watering 🙂 I know them quite well as my family is of Russian origin… fantastic pictures!
Cake Duchess says
Hi Elin:)These bliny look so good! Just lovely. I will have to try your recipe!
Thank you Dennis for having Elin on today.She's wonderful!
Hope you are both doing well and have a great weekend:)
Lora
Lin Ann says
Oh my, how lovely! I want to cook everything you make!
lostpastremembered says
This is such a classic. I think your blini's came out perfectly and it was great to remind me that they are good for so many flavorings… a perfect delivery system!
[email protected] says
I think my piggy might like a beautiful bliny. Never realized they were made from a yeast batter.
Faith says
Welcome Elin, and thank you for a wonderful post! Your bliny looks incredible and I love all the filling variations you give!
Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes says
Nice to meet you Elin! I think the bliny with the cranberry would be my favorite! I love cranberries, and I live in the cranberry capital of the world! Have a great day and thank you for sharing your recipe!
Mary
ravienomnoms says
Totally 3 thumbs way way up for this post Elin! That all looks just simply fantastic!
Anncoo says
That's a great post from Elin. I'm always inspired by her beautiful and delicious creations 🙂 Thumbs Up!!
Emily Malloy says
How wonderful to see two blogs I love converge!
Jeannie says
I haven't tried savory pancakes before, always thought pancakes must be sweet:P Looks delicious Elin:D
Pretend Chef says
The bliny sounds so delicious and looks beautiful! I especially love the creme fraiche and smoked salmon combo. This was a great guest post! Thank you Chef Dennis for the introduction!
Lizzy says
Both the sweet and savory versions look divine!! Elin, excellent guest post 🙂
Frank says
I love blinis! Had a whole feast of them years ago in Moscow, at the home of an Italian epicure who was married to a Russian. Caviar, smoked fishes of all kinds, sour cream and LOTs of melted butter… all washed down with ample champagne and vodka. A night to remember…
Jenn says
First, Congrats to Elisabeth!!
Second, Elin, your pictures are beautiful! I've had only a sweet bliny before…I love the idea of the egg sandwich like filling!! YUM!
gigabiting says
Russian blini from a Malaysian baker- I love it!
Becky says
I love salmon, smoked or otherwise, so that would be my choice for one of your bliny. Great guest post.
Thanks, Chef Dennis for another Great Guest Post Friday!
We're having a heat wave today, high of 23! Have a great wekend , Chef!
Lynn says
Delish looking!! Thanks for sharing!
jose manuel says
Que delicia de tortitas. Saludos
Elisabeth says
OMG-I can't believe this. I was just making sure about commenting for your guest post, and drooling over Elin's amazing blinis, truly a work of art, so gorgeous and yummy with all the different toppings.
As I was browsing through the end, I saw my name mentioned, and I just couldn't believe my eyes.
I won the $100.CSN giveaway…yeahhh! Thank You, thank you!!!
This is the best, of the best present, ever!
Thank you Chef Dennis, and thank you for having Elin as your guest post this week. She is very talented!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristen says
A savory topping on a pancake creation sounds wonderful. I love how pretty the salmon sits on them. What a great post!!
Kate @ Diethood.com says
Elin, your bliny looks amazing! I am drooling over the topping…delicious!
Elin says
Chef Dennis…thank you so much . I still have not got over it yet..the excitement to be be given the opportunity to guest post for you 🙂 Hope your readers love this mouth-watering bliny 🙂
Have a good day Piggy Chef,
Elin
Kim - Liv Life says
Elin, I've never heard of a bliny, but after reading your description and seeing your pictures, I'm thinking that I want one! Love the smoked salmon addition! I discovered the salmon last year and can't get enough of it!
I'm with you Dennis, even though I'm not snowbound, I'm eagerly awaiting spring! Longer days, sunny mornings, heat on my shoulders…. ahh… if only I had some tropical breezes across my cheeks and a drink with an umbrella in my hand all would be perfect!!!
Joy says
That look so good. I have never had a bliny before.
Jill says
I never developed a taste for salmon until I became an adult…and those pictures look just divine!! 😀
About the best thing I can make is a mean pork tenderloin…and those pre-packages side dishes where you just add milk and butter.
yum!
Dionne Baldwin says
Ooo Elin I like the looks of that bliny! Creme fraiche and smoked salmon would be an excellent choice in my opinion but creme fraiche and cranberry sauce sounds good right now. Thank you for sharing this! It's nice to meet you!