Buckwheat Cheddar Blini With Smoked Salmon Recipe

Ingredients

3/4 c. buckwheat flour (see Tips & Techniques)

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. dry mustard powder

c. skim milk

1 1/2 tbsp. snipped chives

2 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese

salt

Freshly ground pepper

2 large egg whites

4 oz. sliced smoked salmon

1/4 c. fat-free sour cream

Preparation

Step 1In a medium bowl, whisk the buckwheat flour, baking powder, and dry mustard. Whisk in the milk until smooth. Add the 1 1/2 tablespoons of chives and the cheddar and season the batter with salt and pepper.Step 2In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until firm peaks form. Whisk one-fourth of the whites into the batter. Fold in the remaining whites.Step 3Heat a griddle over moderate heat until very hot and spray with vegetable oil spray. Spoon 1-tablespoon mounds of batter onto the griddle and cook until bubbles form around the edges of the blini, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook the blini for about 30 seconds longer.Step 4Transfer the blini to a platter and top with the smoked salmon and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish the blini with chives and serve right away.