Cheese Blintzes

Cheese Blintzes

Cheese blintzes, delicious rolled pancakes filled with sweetened cheese, have a history deeply tied to Eastern European Jewish culinary traditions. The dish is often associated with the Ashkenazi Jewish community, particularly those from Poland and Russia. Blintzes are believed to have originated as a variation of blini, traditional Russian pancakes. As Jewish communities adopted this dish, they added their own twist by incorporating a cheese filling, creating a delightful combination of thin, tender crepes and a creamy, sweetened cheese mixture.

Over time, cheese blintzes became a beloved part of Jewish cuisine, especially during holidays and celebrations. They are often served on Shavuot, a Jewish festival celebrating the giving of the Torah, as dairy dishes are commonly enjoyed during this time. The popularity of cheese blintzes spread beyond Jewish communities, becoming a cherished comfort food enjoyed by people of various backgrounds. Today, these delectable filled pancakes are a testament to the cultural fusion and adaptation of culinary traditions across different regions and communities.

Ingredients:

For the Blintzes:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups milk

2 large eggs

Pinch of salt

Butter or oil for cooking

For the Filling:

2 cups farmer's cheese or ricotta cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

For Serving:

Sour cream

Fruit preserves or fresh fruit for topping

Directions:

  1. In a blender, combine the flour, milk, eggs, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth, creating a thin crepe-like batter. Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes.

  2. While the batter is resting, prepare the cheese filling. In a bowl, mix together the farmer's cheese or ricotta, sugar, vanilla extract, and one egg until well combined.

  3. Heat a non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter or oil to coat the pan.

  4. Pour a small amount of batter into the pan, swirling it around to coat the bottom evenly. Cook the blintz until the edges start to lift and the bottom is lightly golden. Flip and cook the other side briefly. Repeat with the remaining batter.

  5. Spoon a portion of the cheese filling onto the center of each blintz, then fold the sides over the filling and roll it up.

  6. Heat the filled blintzes in the skillet for a few minutes on each side until they are heated through and lightly browned.

  7. Serve the cheese blintzes warm, topped with sour cream and your choice of fruit preserves or fresh fruit.