Cheese Blintz: What's Inside This Delectable Dish?

Blintzes are thin, crepe-like pancakes filled with a creamy cheese mixture, usually including ricotta, cream cheese, and sometimes farmer's cheese. They are then pan-fried until golden brown and can be served with fresh fruit or a berry sauce. Blintzes are traditionally a Jewish dish, often served for Shavuot and other Jewish holidays.

What is a cheese blintz?

A cheese blintz is a thin, crepe-like pancake filled with a creamy cheese mixture, then pan-fried until golden brown. Blintzes are traditionally served for Shavuot and sometimes other Jewish holidays, but they can be enjoyed at any time of the year. They are also a classic dish to serve at brunch.

The most traditional filling for blintzes is farmer's cheese, but it can be hard to find outside of Ukraine, so it is often replaced with ricotta, cottage cheese, or even cream cheese, mascarpone, or creme fraiche. The filling is then typically combined with egg, sugar, and vanilla.

Blintzes are cooked twice: once when the pancake is made, and again after they are filled and pan-fried. This is the main difference between blintzes and crepes, which are only cooked once and can be served without fillings. Blintzes are also always served filled, whereas crepes can be served with either sweet or savoury fillings.

To make blintzes, start by preparing the pancake batter, which is a combination of flour, milk, sugar, and eggs. Puree the batter in a blender until it is smooth. Let the batter rest at room temperature for around 30 minutes, then make the pancakes. Pour a small amount of batter into a hot pan, then swirl the batter around to coat the bottom of the pan. Repeat this process with the remaining batter until you have a stack of pancakes.

While the pancakes are cooking, prepare the filling by mixing together your chosen cheese with sugar, egg, and vanilla. Place a dollop of the cheese filling onto each pancake, then fold up the filling inside the pancake. Chill the blintzes 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. Blintzes can be served with a drizzle of raspberry or blueberry sauce, or with fresh fruit, sour cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or bananas.

What cheese is used in a cheese blintz?

Blintzes are thin, crepe-like pancakes filled with a creamy cheese mixture and are usually pan-fried. They are a traditional Jewish dish, often served during holidays and special occasions.

The most traditional cheese for the filling is farmer's cheese, but it can be hard to find outside of Ukraine. Good substitutes are ricotta, cottage cheese, or a combination of the two. Other possible options include cream cheese, mascarpone, or creme fraiche.

If you want a drier and thicker filling, you can use farmer's cheese or substitute nonfat ricotta and Neufchatel cheese. For a sweeter filling, you can add sugar, vanilla, or even cinnamon and raisins.

How do you make a cheese blintz?

Cheese blintzes are thin pancakes filled with a creamy cheese mixture, then pan-fried until golden brown. Blintzes are a traditionally Jewish cuisine that is thought to have originated in Central and Eastern European countries. They are usually filled with a creamy cheese mixture and pan-fried to give a crispy outside.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk (1% or whole)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more for coating the pan
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 recipe raspberry sauce
• 1 cup fresh berries
• Mint sprigs for garnish
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Method:

Make the batter:

Combine the flour, sugar, salt, milk, eggs, and 3 tablespoons of melted butter in a blender. Puree until the mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Let the batter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before using.

Cook the pancakes:

Heat a 10-inch nonstick skillet on medium heat. Lightly coat the pan with additional butter. Add 1/4 cup batter and swirl to completely cover the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the surface looks dry, about 1 minute. Loosen the edge of the pancake with a spatula, then quickly flip and cook for 1 minute more. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Make the filling:

Place the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir until well combined.

Assemble the blintzes:

Lay a pancake out on a flat surface. Place 3 tablespoons of the filling onto the pancake, about 1 inch away from the bottom. Fold the bottom edge over the filling, then fold in both sides and gently roll the blintz all the way up. Repeat with the remaining pancakes and filling.

Pan-fry the blintzes:

Place the blintzes in the freezer for 10-15 minutes or until firm. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Place the blintzes in the skillet in a single layer and cook for 4 minutes per side or until golden brown. You may need to work in batches.

Serve:

Serve the blintzes with raspberry sauce, powdered sugar, and berries. Garnish with mint sprigs if desired.

What do you serve with a cheese blintz?

Cheese blintzes are thin, crepe-like pancakes filled with a creamy cheese mixture, pan-fried, and topped with a simple berry sauce or served with fresh fruit. They are a traditionally Jewish dish that is thought to have originated in Central and Eastern European countries.

When serving cheese blintzes, there are a variety of toppings and sides that complement the dish well. Here are some ideas:

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit is a popular choice to serve with cheese blintzes. This can include berries such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries, as well as other fruits like bananas, apples, or cherries. The sweetness of the fruit pairs well with the creamy cheese filling of the blintzes.

Berry Sauce

In addition to fresh fruit, a berry sauce can be a delicious topping for cheese blintzes. This sauce can be made by cooking berries with lemon juice and sugar, resulting in a sweet and tangy sauce that enhances the flavour of the blintzes.

Sweetened Sour Cream or Whipped Cream

For a richer, more indulgent option, consider serving cheese blintzes with sweetened sour cream or whipped cream. These toppings add a creamy texture and a touch of sweetness to the dish.

Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate sauce is another tasty topping option for cheese blintzes. The combination of chocolate and cheese may seem unusual, but the sweetness of the chocolate can complement the savoury cheese filling.

Savoury Dishes

While cheese blintzes are typically served with sweet toppings, they can also be paired with savoury dishes. For example, they can be served as a side dish with sausage casserole, French toast casserole, or baked oatmeal.

When serving cheese blintzes, feel free to get creative and experiment with different toppings and sides. Whether you stick with the traditional fresh fruit or berry sauce, or branch out with something savoury, there are plenty of options to make this dish your own.

Where do cheese blintzes come from?

Cheese blintzes are thought to have originated in Central and Eastern European countries, especially among Jewish populations, and became popular in other parts of the world during the 1800s. They are traditionally Jewish and consist of a thin pancake, similar to a crêpe, that is usually filled with a creamy cheese mixture and pan-fried to give a crispy outside. They can be served for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert.

Blintzes are always served filled, most commonly with cheese, and are cooked twice: once when the pancake is made, and again after they are filled and pan-fried. They are similar to crêpes, which can be served plain and are only cooked once. Blintzes are also typically pan-fried, which does not occur with crêpes.

Blintzes are easy to make and can be customised with different toppings and fillings. The pancakes are made with a combination of flour, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, and salt. The filling is usually a creamy cheese mixture, made with a combination of ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sugar, and lemon. Other cheeses that can be used include farmer's cheese, cottage cheese, and Neufchatel cheese. Blintzes can also be made with cooked fruit fillings, such as blueberries, cherries, and apples, or with potato and onion. They are typically served with a simple berry sauce or fresh fruit, and other toppings such as sweetened sour cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, bananas, or sautéed apples.

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