Andy Montoya
Blintzes are thin, crepe-like pancakes filled with cheese and are thought to have originated in Central and Eastern European countries, especially among Jewish populations. They are traditionally served for Shavuot and other Jewish holidays but can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Blintzes are cooked twice: first when the pancake is made, and again after they are filled and pan-fried. To serve cheese blintzes, they can be topped with jam, dusted with powdered sugar, or served with sour cream. Fresh fruit or berry sauce are also popular toppings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert |
| Origin | Central and Eastern European Countries, especially among Jewish populations |
| Main Ingredients | Cheese, Flour, Milk, Sugar, Eggs, Butter |
| Filling | Sweetened Cheese, Blueberry, Potato, Cherry |
| Toppings | Raspberry Sauce, Blueberry Sauce, Sour Cream, Lemon Curd, Peach Jam, Strawberry Sauce, Apple Butter, Powdered Sugar |
| Sides | Salads, Bagels, Lox, Cream Cheese |
| Nutritional Information | Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 15g |
Explore related products
Making the batter
Gather the Ingredients
For the batter, you will need flour, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, and salt. It is important to have all the ingredients measured out and ready before you begin blending. This ensures a smooth and efficient process without any last-minute hiccups.
Blend the Ingredients
Place the milk, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, and salt into a blender. Blend the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and lump-free batter. This should take around 30 seconds in a blender or food processor. If you don't have a blender, you can use a fork to mix the ingredients by hand, but be sure to mix vigorously to break up any lumps.
Rest the Batter
Once you have a smooth batter, let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using it. This resting period allows the batter to relax and any air bubbles to dissipate, resulting in a more even texture during cooking.
Heat the Pan
While the batter is resting, you can prepare your cooking surface. Heat a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat. An 8-inch or 10-inch pan is ideal for blintzes. You'll know the pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles on its surface. At this point, you can add a bit of butter to the pan to coat the surface, adding a delicious buttery flavour to your blintzes.
Cook the Blintzes
Now it's time to cook your blintzes! Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the hot pan and quickly swirl the pan in a circular motion to coat the bottom evenly. Cook the blintz until it is lightly golden on the bottom, then use a spatula to flip it and cook the other side. Stack the cooked blintzes on a plate and keep them warm while you cook the rest of the batter.
By following these steps, you'll have a delicious batch of blintzes ready for filling and serving!
Warm, Melty Brie: The Perfect Fruit Companion
You may want to see also
Filling options
Blintzes are always served filled and are cooked twice: once when made, and again after they are filled and pan-fried. Blintzes are typically filled with a cheese mixture, although there are many options for the type of cheese and additional ingredients to include in the filling.
The most traditional filling for blintzes is farmer's cheese, but it can be hard to find in regular grocery stores, so ricotta, cottage cheese, or cream cheese are often used instead. Other options include mascarpone, creme fraiche, or a combination of these cheeses. For example, one recipe suggests mixing together ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sugar, and lemon. The filling is then combined with egg, sugar, and vanilla.
If you want to make blueberry blintzes, you can stir a handful of blueberries into the cheese mixture once it's made, or use frozen blueberries and follow the instructions to make a blueberry sauce. You can also make potato blintzes by peeling and cubing potatoes, cooking them until soft, and then sauteing them with onions, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Fill the blintzes with the potato mixture and shredded cheese, if desired, and then pan-fry.
Blintzes can also be served with various toppings, including jam, fruit compote, sour cream, fresh fruit, or berry sauce.
Mac and Cheese Servings: How Many?
You may want to see also
Folding the blintzes
Blintzes are thin, crepe-like pancakes filled with a sweetened, creamy cheese mixture. They are typically served with jam and a dusting of powdered sugar, or with sour cream. Blintzes are cooked twice: first when the pancake is made, and again after they are filled and pan-fried.
Forming the blintzes is similar to folding a burrito or an envelope. First, place a spoonful of the chilled filling about one inch from the bottom of the pancake. Then, follow these steps:
- Fold the bottom edge away from you, just covering the filling.
- Fold the two sides into the centre.
- Roll the pancake away from you a couple of times, tucking in the edges as you roll.
- Continue rolling until the filling is completely enclosed in a neat little package, ending with the seam side down.
Once the blintzes are formed, chill them in the freezer for a few minutes until they are firm. The final step is to pan-fry the blintzes in butter until they are golden brown.
Plentiful Sliders: Catering for a Crowd
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pan-frying
Blintzes are thin pancakes filled with a creamy cheese mixture, then pan-fried until golden brown. They are cooked twice: once when made, and again after they are filled. Blintzes are typically served hot and can be topped with fresh fruit, berry sauce, or sour cream.
To pan-fry blintzes, first melt butter and vegetable oil (or coconut oil) in a pan over medium heat. The amount of butter used can vary, but typically ranges from 1 to 2 tablespoons. Some recipes call for clarified butter, which has a lower chance of burning as it has had the milk solids removed. To make clarified butter, melt 2 sticks of butter in a saucepan over low heat, let stand for 2 minutes, skim and discard any foam, then pour the clear butter into a container.
Once the butter and oil are hot, work in batches to cook the blintzes. Place the blintzes seam-side down in the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown all over. Blintzes should be evenly browned on both sides.
Some recipes suggest frying the blintzes on only one side before stuffing, which saves time. It is also recommended to only cook a few blintzes at a time to allow space to turn them easily in the pan.
After pan-frying, blintzes can be placed in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes so that the cheese warms and sets. They can then be served with a spoonful of jam and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Big Bag of Cheese: How Many Servings?
You may want to see also
Toppings and sides
Blintzes are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings and sides. Here are some ideas to elevate your blintzes:
Sweet Toppings
Blintzes are commonly served with a variety of sweet toppings, including jam, dusting of powdered sugar, or sour cream. Raspberry jam, lemon curd, peach jam, strawberry sauce, and apple butter are all excellent choices to pair with the creamy cheese filling. For an extra indulgent touch, consider adding sweetened sour cream, whipped cream, or chocolate sauce. Fresh berries or a fruit salad on the side can also complement the dish, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich blintzes.
Savory Sides
If you're serving blintzes as a main course, consider pairing them with savory sides. Blintzes go well with side salads, mini bagels, lox, and cream cheese. You can also serve them with sausage casserole, French toast casserole, or baked oatmeal for a heartier meal.
Fruit Compotes and Sauces
Fruit compotes, such as cherry compote, or berry sauces, are also popular choices to serve with blintzes. These sauces can be made with fresh or frozen berries, lemon juice, and sugar, and they add a burst of flavor to the dish. You can also stir blueberries into the cheese mixture or make a blueberry sauce to create blueberry blintzes.
Creative Combinations
For a unique twist, some people enjoy adding sautéed apples or bananas as a topping. You can also experiment with different types of cheeses in the filling, such as farmer's cheese, cottage cheese, mascarpone, or crème fraîche, to create new flavor profiles.
The Ultimate Way to Serve Cambozola Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to use a non-stick skillet or frying pan that is around 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
Heat the pan on medium heat. The pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles on its surface.
Cheese blintzes are often served with jam, sour cream, fresh fruit, or berry sauce.
This depends on the occasion and how hungry your guests are! One source suggests that one blintz is never enough, while another recommends serving three per person.
