Andy Montoya
Cheese blintzes are thin pancakes filled with a creamy cheese mixture, then pan-fried until golden. They are typically served with jam and a dusting of powdered sugar, or sour cream. Blintzes are thought to have originated from Central and Eastern European countries, especially among Jewish populations, and became popular in other parts of the world during the 1800s. The cheese filling is usually made with farmer's cheese, but a blend of ricotta and cream cheese can also be used. Blintzes can be topped with homemade raspberry or blueberry sauce, as well as fresh berries, sweetened sour cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, bananas, or sauteed apples.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Filling | Sweetened creamy cheese mixture, sweetened cream cheese, farmer's cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, cream cheese, lemon zest, egg, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon curd |
| Toppings | Fruit (fresh, cooked, or in a compote), sour cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, bananas, sauteed apples, raspberry or blueberry sauce, berries, jam, powdered sugar, peach jam, strawberry sauce, apple butter, fruit salad |
| Pancake ingredients | Flour, milk, sugar, eggs, salt, baking powder, water |
| Pancake preparation | Batter should be pureed in a blender, rested at room temperature for 30 minutes, then cooked in a hot pan by swirling the batter to coat the bottom of the pan |
| Folding | Letter-style, envelope-style, or burrito-style |
| Cooking method | Pan-fried in butter |
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What You'll Learn
Sweetened cream cheese filling
Blintzes are thin pancakes of Jewish origin, filled with sweetened cheese and served for breakfast or dessert. They are similar to French crepes or Russian blinis but are usually cooked twice: once when the pancake is made, and again when the filled blintz is fried in butter.
The traditional cheese blintz recipe uses farmer's cheese, but this can be substituted with a blend of ricotta and cream cheese, or cottage cheese.
To make a sweetened cream cheese filling, combine the following ingredients in a mixing bowl:
- 1 pound dry curd ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth. You can also add lemon zest to the mixture for a citrusy flavour.
Place a couple of heaped tablespoons of the filling at the bottom of each blintz, leaving enough space on the sides to fold. Then, roll up the blintz, starting from the bottom.
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Lemon zest
To make the filling for lemon-flavoured cheese blintzes, you will need cream cheese, ricotta cheese, egg, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Some recipes also call for vanilla extract, cinnamon, and raisins. The ingredients are combined in a mixing bowl and whisked until thoroughly blended and smooth. This filling is then chilled in the refrigerator until it is ready to be spooned onto the blintzes.
The lemon zest in the filling provides a bright, fresh flavour that enhances the sweetness of the cheese and other ingredients. It is a signature element in Chef John Mitzewich's popular cheese blintz recipe, where it is combined with ricotta and cream cheese to create a perfect brunch dish. The lemon zest adds a subtle tartness that balances the richness of the cheeses and makes these blintzes especially memorable.
When preparing the cheese filling, it is important to ensure that all the ingredients are thoroughly combined so that the flavours meld together. The lemon zest can be adjusted to taste, but it is important not to add too much, as it can overpower the other flavours. A light hand with the lemon zest ensures that the filling remains creamy and indulgent, with just the right amount of tangy citrus to round out the flavour profile.
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Fruit toppings
Fresh Fruit
Fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, can be used as a topping for blintzes. You can also use sliced bananas, apples, or cherries. The fresh fruit can be served as-is or mixed with other ingredients to create a sauce or compote.
Berry Compote
A berry compote is a delicious and popular topping for blintzes. To make it, combine fresh or frozen berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of berries) with sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches a low boil. Continue stirring gently for about five minutes, then remove from the heat and let it cool. The compote will thicken as it cools.
Berry Sauce
A simpler version of the berry compote can be made by combining fresh or frozen berries with sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a low boil and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can also add cornstarch to thicken the sauce if desired.
Blueberry Sauce
A blueberry sauce is a classic topping for blintzes. You can make it by combining blueberries (fresh or frozen) with sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring gently, until the sugar dissolves. Then, raise the heat and bring it to a boil for about three minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gently stir in some additional fresh blueberries if desired.
Fruit and Powdered Sugar
For a more decorative touch, you can sprinkle powdered sugar over the blintzes along with the fresh fruit topping. This adds a touch of sweetness and makes the dish look more elegant.
These fruit toppings can be used individually or in combination, depending on your preference. Get creative and experiment with different types of fruit and sweet sauces to find your favorite blintz topping!
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Sour cream
Additionally, sour cream can be used to make a creamy sauce to accompany the blintzes. For example, it can be combined with strawberries, sugar, and sweet vermouth to create a strawberry sauce. The sauce is made by combining the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat, bringing the mixture to a boil, and then reducing the heat to medium-low and simmering until the sauce has thickened.
Overall, sour cream is a versatile and tasty addition to cheese blintzes, whether used as a topping, filling, or sauce. It enhances the flavour and texture of the dish and can be adapted to suit a variety of taste preferences.
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Jam
Blintzes are thin pancakes filled with a creamy cheese mixture and pan-fried to give a crispy outside. Blintzes are usually served with sweet fillings, and cheese is the most common filling. However, blintzes can also be stuffed with cooked fruits such as blueberries, cherries, and apples.
If you want to make your blintzes with jam, you can follow the recipe below. To make the blintz batter, combine flour, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour. Next, make the filling by mixing farmer's cheese, ricotta cheese, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir until blended.
To assemble the blintzes, spread about 2 tablespoons of the cheese filling in the center of each blintz. Fold the sides over the filling, then fold in the ends to form a rectangle. In a large frying pan, melt some butter over medium heat. Once the butter begins to sizzle, add the blintzes, seam-side down, and fry until browned. Serve the blintzes hot with jam and berries on top.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese blintzes are thin pancakes filled with a creamy, sweet cheese mixture, then pan-fried until golden brown.
The cheese filling in blintzes is typically made with farmer's cheese, but can also be made with a blend of ricotta and cream cheese, or small-curd cottage cheese.
Blintzes are often served with sour cream, fresh fruit, or fruit compote. They can also be served with jam, powdered sugar, or chocolate sauce.
Yes, you can make the crepes and cheese filling for blintzes up to a few days ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Cheese blintzes are typically served for breakfast, brunch, or as a light dinner, but they can also be enjoyed as a dessert.
