Smoked Salmon Blinis with Dill Cream Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) buckwheat flour 1/2 cup (60g) buckwheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 ounces (115g) smoked salmon 4 ounces (115g) smoked salmon
• 1/2 cup (120g) cream cheese 1/2 cup (120g) cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat: 9g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 17g (Sugar: 1g)
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, buckwheat flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter.
3. 3.
   Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking until just combined. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
4. 4.
   Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or oil.
5. 5.
   Drop spoonfuls of batter onto the skillet to form small pancakes. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook for another minute or until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter.
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
7. 7.
   To assemble the canapés, spread a dollop of the dill cream cheese onto each blini. Top with a piece of smoked salmon.
8. 8.
   Garnish with additional dill, if desired. Serve immediately.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Buckwheat flour — Buckwheat flour adds a unique flavor to the blinis. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with whole wheat flour or simply use all-purpose flour.
• Smoked salmon — Look for high-quality smoked salmon with a delicate smoky flavor. Thinly sliced salmon works best for these canapés.
• Dill — Fresh dill is preferred for its vibrant flavor. If unavailable, you can use dried dill, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the blini batter for a tangy flavor.
• To make the blinis ahead of time, cook them and store them in an airtight container. Reheat them in a toaster or oven before assembling the canapés.
• Experiment with different herbs such as chives or parsley in the cream cheese for added flavor variations.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, substitute the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
• Serve the canapés on a bed of fresh arugula or watercress for an elegant presentation.

Serving advice

Serve these Smoked Salmon Blinis as an appetizer at cocktail parties, brunches, or any special occasion. Arrange them on a platter and garnish with additional dill for an eye-catching display.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can roll the smoked salmon into small rosettes before placing them on top of the cream cheese. This adds an elegant touch to the canapés.