HEALTH AND WELLNESS

RUSSIAN BLINI The French have their CREPES, the Scots their BANNOCK, and the Americans their FLAPJACKS. So it comes as no surprise that Russians have their own version of the PANCAKE –the BLIN, which is a staple with a long history. The ancient Slavs used blini for food sacrifices in their pagan rituals and saw in blini an appropriate symbol of round, warm, golden sun. Women who had recently given birth were fed blini. These were also served at weddings and at funerals, so they figured in peoples’ lives from birth to death. Russians today usually make blini with wheat flour, but other flours can also be used. RECIPE FOR BUCKWHEAT BLINI INGREDIENTS 120 grams buckwheat flour 120 grams wheat flour 20 grams butter, melted 2 eggs 720 milliliters or so of milk 30 grams sugar Pinch of salt PREPARATION: Mix buckwheat flour with 240 milliliters of milk. Heat another 240 milliliters of milk, and add it to the batter,

                        RUSSIAN BLINI                                  The French have their CREPES, the Scots their BANNOCK, and the Americans their FLAPJACKS. So it comes as no surprise that Russians have their own version of the PANCAKE –the BLIN, which is a staple with a long history. The ancient Slavs used blini for food sacrifices in their pagan rituals and saw in blini an appropriate symbol of round, warm, golden sun. Women who had recently given birth were fed blini. These were also served at weddings and at funerals, so they figured in peoples’ lives from birth to death. Russians today usually make blini with wheat flour, but other flours can also be used.                                       RECIPE FOR BUCKWHEAT BLINI INGREDIENTS 120 grams buckwheat flour 120 grams wheat flour 20 grams butter, melted 2 eggs 720 milliliters or so of milk 30 grams sugar Pinch of salt PREPARATION: Mix buckwheat flour with 240 milliliters of milk.