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Blini with smoked salmon (or gravlax)

February 25, 2018 by Caroline's Cooking 20 Comments

Blini are a staple at pretty much any excuse for a party in Russia. And it’s easy to understand why. These little pancakes, topped with smoked salmon and sour cream, make elegant and delicious little bites fit for any occasion.

blini with smoked salmon gravlax

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I know I’ve often talked about my time in Spain and a few times about Germany, but not so much Russia. It’s not that it didn’t make an impression on me – quite the opposite – but food was less often a selling point, as I talked about when I shared my borscht recipe.

There definitely are some tasty Russian recipes, but they can be a little hard to seek out. Blini, however, are something you find all over.

blini with smoked salmon gravlax

I’ve been to Russia a number of times in a few guises, and pretty much every time we gathered in some way, we had blini. You get different toppings, with caviar being a common one, or other seafood such as smoked salmon, but sour cream (‘smetana’) was pretty much always there in some way.

I remember having them the first time I went to Russia and we had a mini party at the end. We’d had some food during the camp that was a bit hard to get used to, so these were a pleasant treat. The flavors are mild, but they’re great to snack on, and alongside a drink. Which was just as well that time as we all needed to make a toast, individually, in traditional style.

blini with smoked salmon gravlax

How to make blini

Traditionally blini are made with either all buckwheat flour or part buckwheat, part regular flour as I have here. Often, these days, they are made purely with all purpose flour. While that saves hunting down a less common flour, I do think the buckwheat helps give a gently distinct flavor.

You’ll find some versions going more the route of more familiar pancakes using baking powder/soda, but yeast is another part of what gives them their flavor, I think.

Buckwheat flour comes in a couple of different shades, which is why you might think theses are darker than you might expect. Technically the dark flour is better nutritionally, but it is a little coarser, so use what you can find or prefer.

making blini - mixing, folding in egg white and cooking

You could easily use smoked salmon here, but I’ve actually used some gravlax, partly as I’d made some but also I love the flavor here. The slight sweetness and dill from the cure mixture works well wit the blini and sour cream.

blini with smoked salmon gravlax

These blini with smoked salmon or gravlax are an easy and elegant finger food. They’re at the middle of any Russian party table for a reason, as they both look the part and taste great too. Give them a try and you’ll see what I mean.

blini with smoked salmon gravlax

Try these other elegant appetizers:

  • Oysters Rockefeller
  • Steak crostini with mushroom pate and truffle oil
  • Scallop and chorizo stacks
  • Plus see more appetizer recipes in the archives.
blini with smoked salmon gravlax
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Blini with smoked salmon (or gravlax)

These blini are fluffy little savory pancakes that make a great base for mini appetizers, topped with smoked salmon/gravlax and sour cream.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Appetizer/Starter
Cuisine: Russian
Keyword: blini, savory pancake
Servings: 30 small, approx
Calories: 35kcal
Author: Caroline's Cooking

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup buckwheat flour 65g
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour 70g
  • 1/4 cup wholewheat flour 35g
  • 1 tsp instant yeast (fast acting)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk 240ml, warm
  • 1 egg divided

To serve

  • 6 oz smoked salmon 170g, approx, or gravlax
  • 5 tbsp sour cream approx

Instructions

  • Whisk together the flours, yeast and salt. Mix in the milk and stir until smooth. Cover and set aside until it has doubled in size.
  • Separate the egg. Mix in the yolk to the pancake mixture. Whisk the egg white until stiff then fold into the batter. Cover and set aside another 15 minutes or so. 
  • Warm a large skillet/frying pan over a medium heat and brush with a little vegetable oil or butter. Put around 4-5 spoonfuls into the skillet at a time with space between them. Once the pancakes start to bubble in a few places, flip them over and cook another couple minutes on the other side. Keep warm until ready to use (eg wrap in a dish towel then in foil or put in a low over, covered), and repeat with the rest of the batter. 
  • Top each blini with one or two small pieces of smoked salmon or gravlax and a small spoonful (around 1/2 tsp) of sour cream (or other toppings, as you prefer) then serve. 

Notes

If you would like to make gravlax for these, try this gravlax recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 44mg | Vitamin A: 40IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.3mg

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline’s Cooking Amazon store. 

Try these other elegant appetizer ideas:

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Remember to pin for later!

Blini with smoked salmon (or gravlax). Blini are a staple at pretty much any excuse for a party in Russia. And it's easy to understand why. These little pancakes, topped with smoked salmon and sour cream, make elegant and delicious little bites fit for any occasion. #pancakes #buckwheat #smokedsalmon

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Filed Under: Appetizer/Starter, World Recipes Tagged With: pancake, Russian, smoked salmon, sour cream

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Comments

  1. The Freshman Cook says

    February 28, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    This is a beautiful appetizer, and I am looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      March 1, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks, enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Liz @ Books n' Cooks says

    February 26, 2018 at 6:15 am

    Such a pretty and elegant appetizer! And blini – YUM! I haven’t made it in ages, but I need to. I could it some version of it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks, I agree they’d be great at many times of day!

      Reply
  3. Trang says

    February 26, 2018 at 12:13 am

    5 stars
    I love smoked salmon, this is the perfect appetizer!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks, I agree it’s so tasty.

      Reply
  4. Cindy says

    February 25, 2018 at 8:43 pm

    Lovely Caroline! These bites will be the hit of any party!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks Cindy!

      Reply
  5. Christie says

    February 25, 2018 at 11:53 am

    5 stars
    Sometimes it really sucks that I don’t like salmon. Because these look fabulous!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Indeed! Gravlax is definitely that bit different from ‘normal’ salmon, if you were tempted tot ry, otherwise you could also do other toppings on these – caviar is common, but other seafood such as crab would be good I think.

      Reply
  6. Tara says

    February 25, 2018 at 11:14 am

    Such cute little bites! I love that smoked salmon and sour cream topping.

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:40 pm

      Thank you, it’s a delicious and easy combination.

      Reply
  7. Jersey Girl Cooks says

    February 25, 2018 at 10:40 am

    I love the way you made the blini. The Gravlax looks so delicious and colorful! Awesome appetizer!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:40 pm

      Thank you, gravlax has a lovely flavor as well.

      Reply
  8. Laura Dembowski says

    February 25, 2018 at 10:24 am

    How awesome that you made the blini! They look so delicate and this would even be great for a brunch spread.

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:39 pm

      Thank you, yes they’d be great for lots of occasions.

      Reply
  9. Liz says

    February 25, 2018 at 10:08 am

    I’m now craving gravlax! It’s time to make another batch. P.S. I would park myself by this blini platter at any party—they look fabulous!!!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:39 pm

      Thanks Liz, yes always a good time to make some more gravlax!

      Reply
  10. Wendy says

    February 25, 2018 at 8:20 am

    When our Marina from Russia lived with us, her lunch every day practically was smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches. She never mentioned blini’s but she did love her salmon. Thanks for sharing these memories with us.

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:39 pm

      Those sound like wonderful memories as well!

      Reply

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Caroline's Cooking

Welcome! I'm Caroline and this is where I share recipes inspired by travels, places I want to go, or just ideas from feeding the family. Most recipes are easy to make and healthier, but there are treats too! Read More…

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