Smoked Salmon Blini with Russian Caravan
Small buckwheat blini topped with smoked salmon, sour cream, and dill—the classic Russian appetizer that loves a strong cup of Russian Caravan alongside.
Blini are small Russian pancakes, often made with buckwheat flour for that earthy depth. Topped with cold-smoked salmon and a dollop of sour cream, they are the canonical zakuski—small bites served with vodka or, in tea-loving households, with a samovar of strong Russian Caravan.
The buckwheat batter gets a head start with yeast and a 1-hour rise. This builds a slight tang and a tender, slightly chewy crumb that holds up to wet toppings without going soggy.
Keep the blini small—the size of a euro coin—so each one is a single, perfect bite. Cook them on a hot pan with a little butter, watching for the surface to bubble before you flip.
Top with a curl of smoked salmon, a small spoon of sour cream, a few fronds of dill, and a tiny squeeze of lemon. Serve immediately with a strongly brewed Russian Caravan—the smoky-malty profile of the tea wraps around the salmon and butter beautifully.
Ingredients
- 100g buckwheat flour
- 100g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 250 ml warm whole milk
- 2 eggs, separated
- 30g unsalted butter, melted, plus more for cooking
- 200g cold-smoked salmon, sliced
- 150g sour cream (or crème fraîche)
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 lemon, cut in wedges
- Black pepper
How to make it
- 1Whisk both flours, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Warm the milk to body temperature, then whisk in egg yolks and melted butter.
- 2Pour the wet into the dry and whisk to a smooth batter. Cover and rest in a warm spot 1 hour until bubbly.
- 3Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Fold gently into the rested batter—keep it light.
- 4Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Brush with butter and drop tablespoons of batter, making small rounds about 5 cm wide.
- 5Cook 1–2 minutes until bubbles appear and edges set, then flip and cook another minute. Keep warm under a clean towel.
- 6Top each blini with a small piece of smoked salmon, a small spoon of sour cream, a pinch of dill, and a grind of pepper. Serve with lemon wedges and a hot pot of Russian Caravan.
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