Looking for a new, healthy breakfast idea? Let me introduce you to Ovsyanoblin! This dish, whose name is a playful blend of the Russian words for 'oatmeal' and 'pancake,' is a popular breakfast staple in Eastern Europe. It's a savory, protein-packed pancake made from oats instead of flour. This version is filled with earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach, creating a wonderfully satisfying and nutritious meal that's perfect for a wholesome start to your day. It's quick, versatile, and a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of oatmeal in a completely new form.
Ovsyanoblin with mushrooms and spinach
Ingredients for Ovsyanoblin with Mushrooms and Spinach
- 50 g spinach
- 50 g champignons
- 1 chicken egg
- 50 ml kefir (a fermented milk drink, you can substitute with plain yogurt or buttermilk)
- 30 g quick-cooking rolled oats
- a few stalks of green onion
- 10 g hard cheese
- salt, vegetable oil
How to Make Ovsyanoblin with Mushrooms and Spinach
Chop the spinach and place it in a bowl.
Add the chopped mushrooms to the spinach.
Add salt to taste, mix with spinach and mushrooms.
Thoroughly wash the fresh spinach leaves with cold water and dry them on a paper towel or in a salad spinner. Chop the spinach and place it in a bowl. There’s no need to cook the spinach separately; the fresh leaves will wilt and soften when you add salt. If using frozen spinach, take it out of the freezer ahead of time and let it thaw at room temperature.
Wipe the fresh champignons clean with a damp cloth. Slice the stems into thin rounds and dice the caps into small cubes. Add the chopped mushrooms to the spinach.
Add salt to taste and mix it with the spinach and mushrooms.
Add quick-cooking rolled oats.
Add the quick-cooking rolled oats. If desired, you can grind the oats in a blender or coffee grinder.
Pour in kefir or unsweetened yogurt.
Crack a chicken egg into the batter.
Finely chop the green onion and add it to the other ingredients.
Pour in kefir (a fermented milk drink, similar to drinkable yogurt) or unsweetened yogurt. You can use any fermented dairy product for the batter; low-fat smetana (a popular Eastern European sour cream) or prostokvasha (a kind of soured milk) will also work well.
Crack a chicken egg into the batter. Mix the ingredients; at this stage, the greens will already start to soften.
Finely chop the green onion and add it to the other ingredients. Use only the tender green parts for the batter; save the lighter parts of the stems for soup or to add to cutlets.
Add grated cheese to the batter.
Grate a small piece of hard cheese on a fine grater. Add the grated cheese to the batter. Mix the batter and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the oats to soften.
Pour the batter onto a preheated pan and spread it in an even layer.
Cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
Now you need to flip the ovsyanoblin, but it's very delicate and large, so a regular spatula won't work.
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet and grease it with vegetable oil for frying. Pour the batter onto the hot skillet and spread it into an even layer.
Cover the skillet with a lid. Cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
Now it’s time to flip the ovsyanoblin (a savory oatmeal pancake). It’s very delicate and large, so a regular spatula won’t do the trick. You’ll need to use the same method used for flipping a Spanish tortilla. Place a plate of a suitable size over the pancake, then invert the skillet to flip the pancake onto the plate. Slide the pancake from the plate back into the skillet, cooked side up. Cook on low heat for another 5 minutes.
Serve the ovsyanoblin with mushrooms and spinach warm. Bon appétit!
Serve the ovsyanoblin with mushrooms and spinach warm.
And there you have it—a beautiful and wholesome Ovsyanoblin ready to be enjoyed! This dish is fantastic on its own, but it's traditionally served with a dollop of smetana (sour cream) or Greek yogurt for a creamy finish. Feel free to get creative with your fillings; cheese, tomatoes, or other herbs work wonderfully too. I hope this recipe brings a taste of Eastern European comfort to your kitchen and becomes a new favorite in your breakfast rotation. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!
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