Curiosities: Staffa: The Pillar Island

Curiosities: Staffa: The Pillar Island

Blini

 

 

Makes about 24 Blini

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast (not rapid-rise)
• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg, separated
• Toppings of choice

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, mix flours, salt and instant yeast, and make a well in the centre.
2. Pour in milk, mixing until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Stir cooled melted butter and egg yolk into batter. In a separate bowl, whisk egg white until stiff but not dry. Fold into batter. Cover and let stand 20 minutes.
4. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drop quarter-size dollops of dough into pan without crowding. Cook for about 1 minute or until bubbles form and break. Turn and cook for about 30 seconds. Cover blini and keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter.
5. Serve with toppings of choice: red or black caviar, smoked salmon or other fish, chopped hard-cooked eggs, minced red or white onion, sour cream or creme fraiche, chopped dill and lemon wedges.

Seviche

Ceviche

2 pounds any whitefish, shrimp or prawns, juice of 6 limes, 3 lemons, 3 oranges, or enough to make 2 cups juice
4 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoons black pepper
1/4 cup vinegar
2 medium red onions sliced very thin
2 or 3 red or yellow hot peppers, slivered

Cut fish into bite size pieces and place in a bowl. Pour juice over it. Add salt and pepper and vinegar. Let stand about 6 hours in refrigerator. Pour boiling water over the onions and drain. Add to the fish. Add slivered hot peppers ( and skinned diced tomatoes if preferred) and let set overnight.

Serve with crips or tortilla chips.