Recipe Clinic
All Recipes
Eight buckwheat blinis arranged on a rectangular wooden board, each topped with light cream cheese, a halved quail egg, a piece of smoked salmon, a green olive, a blanched green bean and a frond of fresh dill, photographed on a marble kitchen counter.
pescatariansnackhigh-proteinmake-ahead

Smoked Salmon Blinis with Quail Egg and Olive

Delicate buckwheat blinis loaded with omega-3-rich smoked salmon, protein-packed quail eggs and probiotic-friendly cream cheese, all in a two-bite canapé.

Prep 20 min Cook 20 min 4 servings

Nutrition per serving

285 kcal calories
16 g protein
22 g carbs
14 g fat
2 g sugar
Fibre 2g
Added sugar 0g
Sodium 680mg
See how it compares to the classic ↓

In the clinic

33% less sugar

Smoked salmon & easy blinis this version

Compared to Smoked salmon & easy blinis (BBC Good Food)

Classically made with plain-flour blinis, full-fat cream cheese or crème fraîche, generous smoked salmon and often a dollop of soured cream, making them considerably richer and higher in saturated fat.

+100% fibre +23% protein
Per serving Smoked salmon & easy blinis This recipe Difference
Calories 240 kcal 285 kcal +19%
Carbs 16g 22g +38%
Fat 14g 14g no change
Saturated fat 4g 5g +25%
Sugar 3g 2g −33%
Sodium 744mg 680mg −9%
Fibre 1g 2g +100%
Protein 13g 16g +23%

What changed

  • Plain-flour blinis Buckwheat blinis

    Buckwheat has a lower glycaemic index and adds fibre and magnesium, slowing the blood sugar rise you get from refined white flour.

  • Full-fat cream cheese or crème fraîche spread generously Light cream cheese used sparingly

    Cuts the saturated fat roughly in half while keeping the creamy base that makes each bite satisfying.

  • Hens' egg, whole or heavily dressed with mayonnaise Sliced quail egg, plain

    A quail egg delivers complete protein and fat-soluble vitamins without the extra calories that a mayo-dressed filling brings.

  • No vegetable element Blanched green bean and fresh dill

    Adds fibre and folate, and the fresh herbs provide antioxidant flavonoids without any added sodium or fat.

Per serving. Our figures are estimates; the comparison's are the published nutrition of the BBC Good Food recipe.

Priyanka shared these elegant little canapés in the family group chat, and they look absolutely party-ready. Each blini is topped with a cloud of cream cheese, a sliced quail egg, a curl of smoked salmon, a green olive, fresh dill and a tender green bean for crunch.

Ingredients

Servings 4
  • 16 Ready-made buckwheat blinis, or homemade, roughly 6 cm diameter
  • 8 Quail eggs
  • 120 g Light cream cheese
  • 120 g Smoked salmon, torn into small pieces
  • 80 g Fine green beans, topped and tailed, halved
  • 16 Green olives in brine, drained
  • 10 g Fresh dill, fronds picked
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Compared to Smoked salmon & easy blinis (BBC Good Food)

23% more protein33% less sugar100% more fibre Full comparison ↑

Instructions

  1. Bring a small pan of water to the boil, lower in the quail eggs and cook for 2 minutes 30 seconds for a just-set yolk. Transfer immediately to a bowl of cold water, leave for 5 minutes, then peel carefully and halve lengthways.

  2. Blanch the green bean halves in the same boiling water for 2 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain and refresh under cold running water, then pat dry.

  3. Warm the blinis in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for about 1 minute per side, or arrange them on a baking tray and warm in an oven preheated to 180 °C (fan 160 °C) for 5 minutes.

  4. Spread a generous teaspoon of light cream cheese onto each warm blini, taking it almost to the edge.

  5. Lay a small piece of smoked salmon on the cream cheese, then place a halved quail egg cut-side up on top.

  6. Rest one or two green bean halves alongside the egg, then place a green olive on top of the egg.

  7. Tuck a small frond of fresh dill between the egg and the olive, season with a little black pepper and serve immediately on a board or platter.