Cheese Blintzes Recipe

Cheese Blintzes Recipe

History:
Cheese blintzes are a traditional Jewish dish that originated in Eastern Europe. Blintzes, also called blini, have been a staple in Jewish cuisine for centuries. Blintzes are thin pancakes made from a simple batter of eggs, flour, and water, which are then filled with various sweet or savory fillings.

The exact origin of cheese blintzes is uncertain, but they are believed to have been introduced to Jewish cuisine by the Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. Over time, this dish became a popular choice for holidays and special occasions, as well as a favorite comfort food for everyday meals.

Fun Facts:
- Blintzes are often enjoyed during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah. Dairy dishes, including cheese blintzes, are commonly consumed during this holiday.
- In Russia, blini (similar to blintzes) are a traditional food served during Maslenitsa, a week-long celebration before the start of Lent. Blini are enjoyed with various fillings, both sweet and savory.
- Cheese blintzes are similar to other stuffed pancake dishes found in different cultures, such as Russian blini or Italian cannelloni. However, each cuisine adds its own unique flavors and ingredients to create distinctive variations.

Now, let's dive into the recipe for cheese blintzes:

Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of sifted flour
- Butter or oil for greasing the pan
- 1/2 pound of potcheese (farmer cheese)
- 1 egg
- Pinch of salt
- Butter for the filling and frying
- Cinnamon and sugar to taste
- Grated peel of a lemon
- Powdered sugar and extra cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat 1 egg with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

2. Add 1 cup of water to the beaten egg mixture and whisk until well combined.

3. Gradually add 1 cup of sifted flour to the liquid mixture while whisking continuously. Continue whisking until the batter becomes smooth and free of lumps.

4. Grease a frying pan with a small amount of butter or oil. Heat the pan over medium-low heat.

5. Pour 2 tablespoons of the batter into the greased pan, tilting the pan to ensure the batter spreads evenly. Cook the blintz on one side only until golden brown. The top of the blintz should appear set and dry. Remove the cooked blintz from the pan and place it on a clean cloth, cooked side down. Repeat this step with the remaining batter, stacking the cooked blintzes on top of each other to cool.

6. In a separate bowl, prepare the filling by combining 1/2 pound of potcheese (farmer cheese) with a piece of butter (size of an egg). Mix until well combined.

7. Add 1 egg, a pinch of salt, cinnamon and sugar to taste, and grated peel of a lemon to the cheese mixture. Stir until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

8. Spread a generous amount of the cheese filling onto the uncooked side of each cooled blintz. Fold the blintzes over the filling, tucking the edges well to seal the cheese inside.

9. Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt some butter. Place the filled blintzes in the skillet and cook until they are golden brown on both sides. You can also fry them in plenty of oil if you prefer a crispier texture.

10. Once the blintzes are cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a serving plate. Sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon on top for garnish.

11. Serve the cheese blintzes hot and enjoy their delicious, creamy filling wrapped in delicate pancakes!

Similar Recipe Dishes:
- Apple Blintzes: Replace the cheese filling with a sweet mixture of cooked apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top.
- Savory Spinach and Feta Blintzes: Sauté fresh spinach with garlic and onion until wilted. Mix the cooked spinach with crumbled feta cheese and use it as a filling for blintzes. Serve with a drizzle of tzatziki sauce.
- Blueberry Blintzes: Replace the cheese filling with a blueberry compote made by cooking fresh or frozen blueberries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Top the blintzes with additional blueberry sauce and a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt.

Enjoy exploring different variations of blintzes and experimenting with fillings to create your own delicious combinations!