Cheese Blintzes

Blintzes are a delightful variation of crêpes that offer a heartier and more robust texture. These little packages of goodness can be filled with a variety of delicious fillings, such as cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, or fruit. They can be sautéed or baked with butter, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying dish. So let’s dive into the recipe and discover the world of blintzes!

MAKES: 4 servings

TIME: About 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled, plus unmelted butter for cooking (or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn)
• 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, drained if very moist
• 1/2 cup sour cream or thick yogurt
• 1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, a pinch of salt, and the milk until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a blender for this step. Beat in the eggs and stir in the melted butter or oil. If time allows, let the batter rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour, up to 24 hours. Beat the batter again before using.
2. Put a nonstick or well-seasoned 8- or 10-inch skillet over medium heat and let it heat for a couple of minutes. Add a small pat of butter to the skillet.
3. Stir the batter with a large spoon or ladle. Add a couple of tablespoons of the batter to the skillet, swirling it around so that it forms a thin layer. Pour any excess batter back into the bowl.
4. When the top of the blintz appears dry after about a minute, carefully flip it over using a spatula. Cook the other side for 15 to 30 seconds. The blintz should only slightly brown and should not become crispy. Discard the first blintz if necessary. Stack the finished blintzes on a plate.
5. Combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, a pinch of salt, sugar, and ground cinnamon to make the filling.
6. To fill and fold the blintzes:
7. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each blintz, about a third of the way from the bottom.
8. Fold the bottom third of the blintz over the filling.
9. Fold in the sides.
10. Roll from the bottom up to create a package.
11. Now, you have five choices for cooking the blintzes:
12. To bake or broil: Arrange the blintzes on a greased (preferably buttered) ovenproof platter or baking dish. Dot them with butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon if desired. Bake in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes or broil until the sugar caramelizes, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
13. To sauté: Put a tablespoon or so of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, add several blintzes at a time and cook until brown and crisp on both sides, for a total of about 5 minutes.
14. Mashed Potato Blintzes: Substitute well-seasoned Mashed Potatoes or a mixture of mashed potatoes and ground meat for the cheese filling. Proceed with the recipe, cooking for a longer time if meat is added.
15. Mushroom Blintzes: Substitute Sautéed Mushrooms for the cheese filling. Before folding, sprinkle each blintz with grated Parmesan or Gruyère cheese.
16. Fruit Blintzes: Substitute any peeled, seeded, or cored fresh fruit, such as apples, pears, cherries, berries, or bananas, briefly cooked with sugar, butter, and a little rum or ground cinnamon for the cheese filling.
17. Blintzes can be served as a delicious breakfast, brunch, or dessert option. Enjoy their delightful taste and the variety of fillings you can experiment with!

BASICS OF BREAKFAST CEREALS:

Cooked cereals are timeless breakfast staples known for their filling, nutritious, and flavorful qualities. Whole or partially milled grains are the foundation of these cereals and are usually enhanced with the addition of butter and/or sweeteners.

When purchasing grains, it is advisable to buy them in bulk from natural food stores for better freshness and affordability compared to packaged options in supermarkets.

Another popular breakfast option is homemade granola, which consists of lightly cooked grains combined with nuts and sweeteners. Making granola at home allows for customization and results in a superior product compared to store-bought versions.

Explore the world of breakfast cereals and enjoy the comforting and nourishing experience they offer each morning!