Olga our kitchen manager and Katrina our head chef taught a class on the art of making Russian Blinis. Russians have a holiday to say farewell to winter, "Butter Week. " During this week they don't eat any meat- but can eat butter, eggs, and cheese. This week takes on a carnival atmosphere and lots of pancakes are eaten. The tradition of making pancakes is passed on from
Mother-in-law to daughter-in-law. Blinis can be made from many types of flour,
wheat, corn, buckwheat. Their round shape is associated with the sun as the housewife bakes the pancake and asks nature to send spring as soon as possible. (Stems back to a pagan times.)
Russian Saying- "The first pancake is always clumsy as are many things in life."
Hint: Put butter between pancakes when done so they don't stick together.
Applause: I got to make some blinis at the demonstration, however I need to work on using the ladle to make them round as you don't use a crepe pan to make them even though they are rather like crepes.