Russian Bliny/Blini (Pancakes)

Irina Kostina, Associate Professor in the Russian Program

In Slavic mythology, Maslenitsa is a sun-festival and a celebration of the imminent end of the winter. In the Christian tradition, Maslenitsa is the last week before the onset of Great Lent.

Bliny are the symbol of the sun – warm, round, and yellow.

How to Make Blini

• Mix warm milk, sugar, and butter milk and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Add in the egg, flour, and salt and whisk until smooth.
• Preheat a skillet until appropriately warm and add butter to it.
• Using a spoon, add the mixture to the pan until the entire pan is coated.
• Cook, then flip with a spatula and allow the other side to cook.
• Transfer to a plate and make the next blini until all the batter is used.

Blinis can be filled with almost anything. My favorite ways to enjoy them are sweet (sweetened sour cream and jam) or savory (caviar or smoked salmon).

The following video is made by students of the third year in UIowa Russian Program.