Russian red blini (pancakes)

For many people St.Valentine Day is red roses, dinner in a restaurant, chocolate desserts and other heart-shape stuff. Does it seems boring only for me? I think, the best way to diversify this ‘red’ day is by trying something new, like eat non-chocolate dessert, or if you always go out this day stay in to cook a decadent dinner for two. Unleash your creativity! It can be flavorsome salmon steaks or roast quails, you can experiment with sauces.. A small change can have a huge effect! 😉

A perfect St.Valentine Day can be started by serving a late breakfast that will get both of you in the loving mood. Ready to leave an impression? Prepare these amazing Russian red blini (pancakes)! Beets give pancakes stunning color and delicate sweetness. They are the perfect way to treat those you love!

Next week, starts from Monday, will be one of the brightest and entertaining of Russian holidays – Maslenitsa, or also knows as Butterweek or Pancake Week. It’s celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. It’s the festival with lots of fun, dance, songs and of course huge amount of blini, which is constantly cooked throughout the week. I’ll be posting more about Maslenitsa next week.

#5 Red blini

Russian red blini

Servings: 3-4
Print

Ingredients

130-150g beet, cooked

200-230ml milk, full fat

200ml sparkling mineral water

2 eggs, medium size

a good pinch of salt

2 tsp white sugar, optional

2 tbsp sunflower oil

150-170g plain flour

some oil for frying, if needed

sour cream for garnish, if desired

Puree cooked beet with hand blender or in a food processor until smooth. Add milk, water and stir.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs with salt and sugar. Add it to the batter along with oil; stir.
Sift flour and add it to the batter. Stir to combine.
Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the frying pan and fry thin pancakes as usual. You can make any diameter you like.
Serve warm with sour cream or other garnish.

Sweet garnish: sour cream with honey and chopped pear; sweet cottage cheese; mix berries with sweeten condensed milk.

Savory garnish: cured salmon slices; cheese with herbs; ham.

Enjoy!

I’m bringing these lovely and tasty Russian blini to the Angie‘s Fiesta Friday party, co-hosts Suzanne and Sue and to all beautiful ladies! Hope you all have a wonderful St.Valentine day!

57 Comments

MamaD1xx4xy says:

It is always fun to think outside the box. I grew up having dinner out with the whole family for Valentine’s Day since it was my sister’s birthday. I don’t enjoy going out as much now since most restaurants have preset menus and it is just crowded so we stay in, plus with kids of our own now it is harder to get out. We started our Valentine’s Day with a German style brunch of weisswurst and potato salad. Dinner will be seafood risotto. I like your ideas as well and the red blini look great!
February 14, 2015 at 23:12
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I also prefer to eat at home rather than go out simply because it’s rush and too crowded, and I can cook some tasty meals, too. 🙂 Seafood risotto sounds great, haven’t made it long time.
  Weisswurst – it’s white thick sausage, right?
  February 16, 2015 at 21:42
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  - MamaD1xx4xy says:
    
    Yes weisswurst is a thick white sausage, great with mustard of course!
    February 17, 2015 at 00:12
Loretta says:

You are absolutely spot on…. why all the common foods? It should definitely be extraordinary and unique! I love your Russian red blinis – Happy V-Day!
February 14, 2015 at 23:22
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you so much, dear Loretta! Hope you had a sweet day!:)
  February 16, 2015 at 21:44
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aiming4simple says:

Prettiest pancakes ever! I wish I liked beets!
February 14, 2015 at 23:32
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks a lot! You can try to add carrot juice or puree, if you like carrots. Crepes will get nice orangish color. 🙂
  February 16, 2015 at 21:48
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Sue says:

stunning, absolutely drop dead stunning! Thank you for making such a special dish for us this week!
February 15, 2015 at 00:39
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- milkandbun says:
  
  It’s very sweet of you, Sue! Thanks!
  February 16, 2015 at 21:52
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Pang says:

These look lovely & perfect for V day 🙂
February 15, 2015 at 01:56
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Yep, they turned out pretty! Thanks for stopped by, Pang! 🙂
  February 16, 2015 at 21:54
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Francesca says:

Mila, I’m speechless! I love your pink pancakes! They look awesome and you deserve a big medal for your creativity. 😍
February 15, 2015 at 02:11
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Aaaaah thanks very much, dearest Francesca! I didn’t expect such bright pinkish color, thought it would be more red. 😀
  February 16, 2015 at 21:59
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Fae's Twist & Tango says:

So bright and beautiful. Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤
February 15, 2015 at 06:27
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you, Fae! Hope you had a nice and sweet V-day, too! ❤
  February 16, 2015 at 21:59
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Choc Chip Uru says:

A perfect way to wake up on valentines day! Yum!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
February 15, 2015 at 08:12
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Exactly! 😉
  February 16, 2015 at 22:00
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Yana says:

These look amazing!
February 15, 2015 at 15:33
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you, Yana! 🙂
  February 16, 2015 at 22:00
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apuginthekitchen says:

These are so special Mila, you really outdid your self. The color is vibrant and beautiful and the blini are such a lovely vehicle for any filling or topping, thank you for bringing these to the party.
February 15, 2015 at 21:41
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- milkandbun says:
  
  And they taste good, and have such a nice ‘n’ light beet smell. 🙂
  February 16, 2015 at 22:04
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Sadia Mohamed says:

These are too good Mila! These looks soo pretty. Love the red color, the best part being that it is natural.
February 16, 2015 at 00:20
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Oh, yes, I prefer everything natural! 😉
  February 16, 2015 at 22:04
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Margot @ Gather and Graze says:

Such a stunning colour Mila! I’ve never seen such pretty-in-pink pancakes before! 🙂
February 16, 2015 at 02:34
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I should thank that beet with its beautiful natural color! 😀
  February 16, 2015 at 22:06
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weebirdie says:

Looks amazing! Such a lovely colour! My husband loves beetroots, so i’m sure he likes those.☺
February 16, 2015 at 12:41
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you! And they have a nice beet smell! 🙂
  February 16, 2015 at 22:08
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My Uni Kitchen says:

Rargh. These look beautiful and the fact that you used the natural food colouring from the beets makes it even more wonderful! x
February 16, 2015 at 23:18
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you for visiting and commenting! If there is a chance to use natural coloring, I always use it. 🙂
  February 23, 2015 at 22:27
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petra08 says:

The colour is amazing! They looks so delicious I wish I could reach out with a fork and help myself! Next time I am making pancakes I will see if I can give them a colour, I feel inspired! 🙂
February 17, 2015 at 03:19
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Ahahahaha It’s so sweet of you, Petra! You can also add some carrot or orange juice to get orange-ish color! 😉
  February 23, 2015 at 22:28
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Indian Curry Shack (By Anugya Sudan Oberai) says:

The pancakes look gorgeous! 🙂
February 17, 2015 at 09:58
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks a lot, Anugya!
  February 23, 2015 at 22:29
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Bonnie Eng says:

These are so amazingly gorgeous!! 🙂
February 17, 2015 at 19:06
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I love ‘the look’, too! and of course the taste! Thank you, Bonnie! :*
  February 23, 2015 at 22:30
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spiceinthecity says:

Beautiful!! Looooooooooove the color of these gorgeous pancakes 🙂
February 17, 2015 at 22:05
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks and hugs! 🙂
  February 23, 2015 at 22:31
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dianeskitchentable says:

Oh my goodness those look beautiful! They remind me of the valentine cards that we used to make from paper doilies. You have such a great eye for presentation & wonderful photography. Hope you had a happy Valentine’s Day!
February 18, 2015 at 02:22
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you,sweety! that’s very flattering! It’s pancakes’ gorgeous color helped to take photos! 😀
  February 23, 2015 at 22:37
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Ish says:

I believe I have made them a couple years ago but… with buckwheat flour… I need to make them once again 🙂
February 18, 2015 at 06:35
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I did with buckwheat flour too (without beets), they had such a nice brown-grayish color! 🙂
  February 23, 2015 at 22:38
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Liz says:

those are awesome! Love that you unleashed your creativity 🙂
February 18, 2015 at 06:49
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Hehe thank you Liz! 😀And they tasted sooo good!😊
  February 18, 2015 at 18:16
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trixpin says:

Oh my goodness, they’re so pretty! What a great idea. Your photos are amazing 🙂
February 19, 2015 at 14:50
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks a lot, Trixpin! You are as always – sweet and kind! ❤
  February 23, 2015 at 22:39
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Ginger says:

Your photographs are fantastic! I absolutely adore the colours (and I’m not usually a pink person …) What a wonderful alternative to the usual Valentine’s food!
February 21, 2015 at 23:04
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks, Ginger! Pancakes turned very girly! 😀
  February 23, 2015 at 22:41
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Johanne Lamarche says:

Gorgeous color! I’d love a lipstick this exact shade. I love beets but have never tried them in pancakes. Thank you for the recipe!
February 22, 2015 at 05:32
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Oh I love such lipsticks colors, too! 😀 Have similar, the color called ”lily’.
  February 23, 2015 at 22:43
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abdun navi says:

look delicius and nice colour,…
amazing
February 28, 2015 at 05:59
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks!
  February 28, 2015 at 13:58
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MyKabulKitchen says:

A few weeks late, but what a cute idea!! Love it 🙂
March 28, 2015 at 01:28
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Whenever! I’m glad to read your comments!😊
  March 28, 2015 at 11:59
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4 Sons 'R' Us says:

These looks so good, and I love the healthier twist with the addition of beet. Great recipe!
January 31, 2016 at 07:29
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