Perfect Pairing Recipes

BC Wine Pairing; Sparkling

Easy Blini

Traditionally, these bite-sized Russian pancakes are made with buckwheat and yeast and served alongside caviar and all its accompaniments. Here we’ve made them easier with baking powder and all-purpose flour.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

1 large egg, at room temperature

¾ cup milk + 2 Tbsp milk, at room temperature

1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

1 to 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, or as needed

Method

Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a small-ish bowl.

Whisk egg, milk and 1 tablespoon melted butter together in a separate, larger bowl. Gradually whisk the flour mixture into the liquid one until batter is fully combined. Let the batter rest for a few minutes to an hour before using.

Heat a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. When it is melted and foaming, drop the batter, a tablespoon at a time, onto the heated skillet to create small rounds, 11/2 to 2 inches wide. Cook until bubbles form on top, about 2 minutes.

Flip and continue cooking until brown, about 1 minute more. Lay on plate lined with a paper towel to help soak up any excess butter. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan as needed.

The blini can be served warm or at room temperature. Top with crème fraîche (see recipe), smoked salmon and/or caviar, and garnish with capers, minced red onion, dill, lemon, or as you wish.

Read the full blog here. Pairings recommended by Joanne Sasvari includes:

Unsworth Vineyards Charme de L’île, Vancouver Island

Evolve Cellars Effervescence, Okanagan Valley

Monte Creek Winery Living Land Sparkling Rosé 2022, Thompson Valley

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards Fitz Brut 2018, Okanagan Valley

Township 7 Seven Stars Polaris 2019, Fraser Valley/Okanagan Valley

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery Tête de Cuvée 2020, Kootenays

Recipe provided by: Joanne Sasvari