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Blini with Three Caviars

4.5(17)

(Buckwheat Yeast Pancakes with Three Caviars)

by Epicurious·published 2004-08-20

Open original recipe

Servings

Serves 18 with <I>blini</I> to spare

Total time

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Calories / serving

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Ingredients (11)

serves

a 1/4 -ounce package (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeastyeast
2 1/2 tablespoons sugarsugar
2 cups milkmilk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus additional for brushing the griddlebutter
1 cup buckwheat flour (available at natural foods stores and specialty foods shops)
1 cup all-purpose flourflour
1 teaspoon saltsalt
2 large eggs, separatedegg
3/4 cup well-chilled heavy creamcream
about 2 cups sour cream as an accompaniment
about 4 ounces each black caviar, golden caviar, and salmon roecaviar

Instructions (3 steps)

01In a large bowl proof the yeast with 1/2 tablespoon of the sugar in 1/3 cup lukewarm water for 10 minutes, or until it is foamy. Stir in 1 cup of the milk, heated to lukewarm, the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons of the butter, and the buckwheat flour, beat the batter for 1 minute, and let it rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place for 2 hours or chill it, covered tightly, overnight. (Chilling overnight produces a tangier flavor. Let the batter come to room temperature before continuing with the recipe.) Stir in the remaining 1 cup milk, heated to lukewarm, the all-purpose flour, the salt, and the yolks, beat the mixture for 1 minute, and let it rise, covered with the plastic wrap, in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it is double in bulk and bubbly. In a bowl beat the cream until it holds soft peaks and fold it into the batter. In a metal bowl beat the egg whites until they just hold stiff peaks and fold them into the batter gently but thoroughly.

Pantry check

02Heat a griddle or large skillet over moderate heat until it is hot, brush it lightly with the additional melted butter, and spoon tablespoons of the batter onto the griddle, spreading them to form 3-inch rounds. Cook the blini for 1 minute on each side, or until the undersides are golden. Transfer the blini as they are cooked to a platter and keep them warm, covered with a kitchen towel. Make blini with the remaining batter in the same manner, brushing the griddle lightly with the butter as necessary. The blini may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. Reheat the blini, covered with foil, in a 350°F. oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are warm, or microwave them on a microwave-safe plastic wrap, at high power (100%) for 2 minutes, or until they are warm.