Festive nibbles: blini ‘pizza’ & a giveaway!

Blini are perennially popular nibbles but if you haven’t the time to prepare dozens of mini pancakes then I have the solution! 

This blin ‘pizza’ is a lot easier to prepare (and doesn’t contain yeast) – a large savoury pancake which can be made in advance and served sliced so that everyone can share. It really is so simple – and it would work really well for brunch too.

For the topping
300g | 10oz smoked salmon
2 tbsp horseradish sauce
150g | 5.3oz sour cream
2 tbsp lemon juice
200g | 7oz raw beetroot, cut into matchsticks (I used candy cane beetroot)
2 large handfuls wild rocket leaves
salt and freshly ground pepper

Method

1. Melt the butter in the microwave or in a saucepan and set aside. Separate the eggs and whisk the egg whites till you have soft peaks and set aside.
2. Sift the flours, salt and polenta in a large bowl. Add the egg yolks and mix them in. Gradually add the milk and 1 tbsp melted butter and mix with a hand whisk until you have a smooth batter. Fold the egg whites in.
3. Pour enough melted butter to cover a 23cm (9in) frying pan. Once the butter is gently sizzling pour in half of the pancake batter and swirl until it covers the whole pan.
4. Cook over medium heat until bubbles appear on the surface and the pancake is almost set on top. Invert the pancake onto a plate and then slide it back into the pan uncooked side down. Cook for a further couple of minutes then transfer onto a plate and keep warm. Repeat with the rest of the batter.
5. Slice the blini into eights but keep together. Top with the smoked salmon and beetroot. Drizzle with the horseradish sauce and scatter the rocket leaves on top. Season with freshly ground pepper and serve.