Welcome to the delightful world of 'azhurnye bliny,' or lacy crepes! In Eastern European cuisine, bliny are more than just pancakes; they're a symbol of the sun, celebration, and cozy family gatherings, especially during the festive week of Maslenitsa. This recipe takes the classic blin to a new level of elegance. The secret lies in whipped egg whites and a kefir-based batter, which create an incredibly delicate, thin crepe filled with tiny holes, just like lace. Paired with a vibrant and refreshing fruit salad of strawberries and bananas, this dish is a perfect blend of tradition and modern lightness. Get ready to create a beautiful and delicious treat that's perfect for a special breakfast, brunch, or a light dessert!
Lacy crepes with fruit salad.
Ingredients for the Lacy Crepe Batter
- 300 ml milk
- 300 ml low-fat kefir
- 25 ml vegetable oil
- 150 g all-purpose flour
- 3 egg whites (140 g)
- 1/3 teaspoon baking soda and baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and sugar
- refined oil for frying
Ingredients for the Fruit Filling
- 200 g fresh strawberries
- 2 bananas
- 1/2 lemon
- 40 g honey
How to Make Lacy Crepes with Fruit Salad
Pouring milk into a deep bowl, followed by kefir.
Adding all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
Mixing the flour with the liquid ingredients.
Heat the milk to 30-35°C (86-95°F), so it’s lukewarm. Pour the milk into a deep bowl, followed by the kefir (a fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt). Add the salt and sugar. Pour in a neutral vegetable oil, such as canola, sunflower, or corn oil.
Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. In some recipes, baking soda and baking powder are used together. The soda neutralizes the acidity of the kefir and gives the crepes a beautiful golden color.
Mix the flour with the liquid ingredients until you have a smooth, uniform batter with no lumps. To speed up the process, it’s best to use a blender or a mixer.
Whipping the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. You will need the whites from three large eggs, which is about 140-150 g. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter.
Try to preserve the air bubbles from the whipped egg whites.
Frying a thin crepe until the batter is set.
Stacking the finished crepes.
Do not overmix the batter. Try to preserve the air bubbles from the whipped egg whites.
Preheat a thick-bottomed skillet for about 5 minutes. Spray the skillet with cooking spray or grease it with vegetable oil using a pastry brush or a silicone brush. Pour 3-4 tablespoons of batter onto the skillet. Fry the thin crepe until the batter is set.
Flip the crepe and cook on the other side. Stack the finished crepes.
Slicing fresh strawberries into small pieces.
Slice the fresh strawberries into small pieces.
Mixing honey with lemon juice.
Adding the sliced fruit to the honey sauce and mixing.
Rolling the crepe into a tube and drizzling with the salad sauce.
Gently heat the honey in a double boiler for a few minutes until it melts and becomes runny. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and strain it through a sieve. Mix the honey with the lemon juice.
Chop the banana into small pieces, similar in size to the strawberry pieces. Add the sliced fruits to the honey sauce and mix. If desired, you can season the fruit with ground cinnamon or add grated lemon zest.
Place a few spoonfuls of the fruit salad on the edge of a lacy crepe. Roll the crepe into a tube and drizzle with the sauce from the salad.
Serving the lacy crepes with fruit salad immediately.
Serve the lacy crepes with fruit salad immediately. This dish can be complemented with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Serving with smetana (a type of sour cream) and powdered sugar is also delicious.
And there you have it—beautiful, airy, lacy crepes that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat! We hope you enjoyed making this light and fruity version. The beauty of these crepes is their versatility. Don't hesitate to experiment with other fillings! They are wonderful with a simple sprinkle of sugar, a dollop of jam, or a rich chocolate spread. For a savory twist, try them with mushrooms and cheese or smoked salmon and cream cheese. Serve them warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of whipped cream, for an extra special touch. Enjoy sharing this little piece of culinary art with your loved ones!
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