2450. BLINIS with SMOKED EEL, BACON and HORSERADISH

serves four


600 grams smoked eel fillet
4 rashers thinly cut smoked streaky bacon
200 grams crème fraiche
1 tablespoon strong horseradish sauce
dill sprigs, to garnish

For the blinis:
75 grams plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
full fat milk
30 grams butter

First make the blinis. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl with a pinch of salt. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs. With a whisk or wooden spoon, mix gently, drawing in flour from the edges, to make a smooth batter. Add enough milk to make a thick batter, probably between 50ml and 100ml, but dependent on the size of your eggs.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Drop tablespoons of the batter into the hot pan and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through, you may have to do this in batches. Keep the blinis warm in a low oven.

Pan fry or grill the bacon until crisp. together the crème fraiche and horseradish sauce, and season. To serve, place a couple of warm blinis on each plate. Spoon some horseradish crème fraiche on top, and divide the smoked eel between the plates. Top each plate with a rasher of crisp streaky bacon, and garnish with a sprig of dill.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Chef Rachel Green, c/o Kenyon Communications, Beech House, Kingerby, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN8 3PF England