Next time you’re looking for a gourmet appetizer sure to impress, try our Farmer Cheese and Caviar Blini. Little bites of luxury, these delicate creations feature Lifeway Kefir in the batter, while Lifeway Farmer Cheese crowns these small pancakes along with velvety pearls of black caviar.
A sprinkling of fresh chives for a fresh topping brings subtle brightness, balancing richness with gentle flavor. Each bite unfolds in layers of creamy, savory, and softly briny notes that linger beautifully on the palate. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is the centerpiece of this recipe, lending its smooth texture and serving as an excellent source of bioavailable protein, bringing both substance and sophistication to this simple yet striking dish.
Find Lifeway Kefir and Farmer Cheese in stores near you or shop online here!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese,a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 30 minutes Servings: 20Ingredients
Blini Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 to 1 cup Lowfat Plain Kefir
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp. Lifeway Kefir Butter*, melted plus additional as needed for cooking
Toppings:
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- 3 ounces black caviar
- 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives
Directions
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk the Lifeway Kefir, egg, and melted Lifeway Kefir butter until smooth, then gently combine with the dry ingredients until just incorporated. The batter should be thick but spoonable; adjust with a small splash of Lifeway Kefir if needed.
- Heat a lightly buttered skillet over medium-low heat. Drop tablespoon-sized rounds of batter into the pan and cook until bubbles form and the bottoms are lightly golden, about 1 minute. Flip and cook another minute. Repeat with remaining batter.
- To serve, spread each warm blini with a generous dollop of Lifeway Farmer Cheese, top with a small spoonful of black caviar, and finish with a delicate sprinkle of finely chopped chives.
