Well - Tara Parker-Pope on Health
December 24, 2010, 12:01 pm
Ringing in the New Year With Blini
By TOBY BILANOW
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times

People make the party, but blini are always an exciting addition. As Martha Rose Shulman writes in this week’s Recipes for Health:

If you want something fun for a New Year’s Eve buffet, look no farther than these yeasted buckwheat pancakes. Although they are traditionally served with caviar and sour cream, blini also can be topped with delicious, healthy alternatives.

Here she offers a range of toppings for these famous Russian treats, excellent as finger foods or as part of a sit-down meal.

Buckwheat Blini: Whole-wheat flour, added to the buckwheat, provides gluten to help the pancakes rise — providing a light base for smoked fish and, of course, caviar.

Buckwheat or Cornmeal Blini With Radish Topping: Blini can also be made with cornmeal, here topped with a labne, or drained yogurt, and radish blend.

Blini With Caviar and Yogurt Topping: There’s no need to use expensive caviar here — lumpfish works just fine.

Blini With Mushroom Caviar: Finely chopped mushrooms and canned tomatoes provide a savory topping for blini or latke.

Blini With Smoked Herring Topping: Herring is a classic accompaniment for blini.

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