Dill–Whole Wheat Blini with American Caviar It remains one of the most elegant items to offer guests at New Year’s. Some people wouldn’t think of serving caviar without small buckwheat blini.

Ingredients:

BLINI

½ teaspoon dry active yeast

3 tablespoons warm (105° to 115°F) water

¾ cup whole milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 large egg, separated

1/8 teaspoon sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill

Nonstick cooking spray for the skillet

2 ounces American caviar, such as black paddlefish

½ cup sour cream or crème fraîche

Method:

1. To make the blini, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in a small bowl. Let stand until the mixture looks creamy, about 5 minutes. Stir to dissolve the yeast.

2. Whisk the milk, dissolved yeast, melted butter, sour cream, egg yolk, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Add the flour and whole wheat flour, and whisk until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until bubbly (it will not double in volume), about 2 hours.

3. Whisk the egg white in a greaseproof small bowl until soft peaks form. Add to the batter, along with the dill, and fold together.

4. When ready to serve, heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat until a sprinkle of water splashed on the surface forms skittering beads. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Using a heaping tablespoon for each blini, spoon the batter onto the griddle.

5. Cook until holes appear in the tops of the blini, about 1 minute. Turn and cook until the other sides are golden brown, about 30 seconds.

6. Transfer to a platter lined with a clean, fragrance-free napkin or kitchen towel, and wrap the blini in the towel to keep warm while making the remaining blini. (The blini are best freshly made.

7. They can be made up to 2 hours ahead and stored at room temperature. To reheat, overlap blini on a large baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F oven, uncovered, until hot, about 5 minutes.)

8. Serve the blini, accompanied by bowls of caviar and sour cream. Allow guests to top each blini with the caviar and sour cream.