Recipe: Lemon-Poppyseed Blinis

published Feb 22, 2011
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Blinis, a classic Russian treat, are traditionally topped with sour cream and caviar. This sweet version substitutes poppy seeds for caviar and adds a bit of lemon for a touch of sweet flavor.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

In their most classic state, blinis are made with yeast and buckwheat flour and served alongside a good vodka.

This yeast-free version eliminates the rising time by substituting chemical leaveners and balances out the heavy and, at times overwhelming, flavor of buckwheat by cutting it with all-purpose flour. Adding sour cream to the batter creates an unbelievably light texture, while the sweetened sour cream topping adds a slightly sweeter homage to its Russian cousin.

Substitute a glass or two of sparkling wine for the traditional vodka and these sophisticated blinis are the perfect fingerfood.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Lemon-Poppyseed Blinis

Makes about 50-60 blinis

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup

    buckwheat flour

  • 1/2 cup

    all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    baking powder

  • 1/8 teaspoon

    baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon

    poppy seeds

  • 1/3 cup

    granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup

    whole milk

  • 1/4 cup

    sour cream

  • Zest of one Meyer lemon; divided

  • Juice of one Meyer lemon

  • 1

    large egg

  • 1 tablespoon

    butter; melted

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    vanilla extract

For the sweetened sour cream topping:

  • 1/2 cup

    sour cream

  • 3 tablespoons

    confectioner's sugar

  • Zest of 1/2 meyer lemon

  • Additional poppyseeds for garnish

Instructions

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  1. To make the blinis, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and poppy seeds. In a separate bowl combine granulated sugar, milk, sour cream, lemon juice and 1/2 lemon zest, egg and melted butter.

  2. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet just until combined. Allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes.

  3. Heat 1/2 tablespoon melted butter in a sauté pan and spoon the batter in teaspoon portions. Cook 2 minutes on one side, then flip and cook an additional minute or until browned. Remove from pan and set on cooling rack. Repeat until all the batter is used.

  4. To make the topping, combine sour cream, confectioner's sugar and lemon zest.

  5. Serve blinis topped with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkling of poppyseeds.

(Images: Rebekah Peppler)