Glossary B
Blintzes refers basically to Jewish crepes. A Blintz is a thin, flat pancake rolled around a filling. It looks a little like an egg roll. As a main dish or side dish, blintzes can be filled with sweetened cottage cheese or mashed potatoes and onion; as a dessert, they can be filled with fruit, such as apple, cherry or blueberry. They are usually fried in oil. They are generally served with sour cream and/or applesauce. The word "blintz" comes from a Ukrainian word meaning "pancake."
Blintz which is also known as Blini is also a traditional Russian pancake not too different from a crepe. Pancakes in Russia are usually made with yeasted batter, which is left to rise and then diluted with water or milk. They are then baked in a traditional oven, but nowadays they are usually pan-fried. These are best served with sour cream, jam, honey or caviar.
Blini are a staple food on Russian tables and are also eaten during the spring festivities of Maslenitsa.
Bitterballen refers to Dutch small dough coated deep-fried potato balls, meat balls or croquettes which are usually served very spicy and used as appetizers or snacks.
Bulb Baster refers to a kitchen utensil that assists with basting, which is a method of moistening food during the cooking process. Basting is usually used when cooking meat. The head of the Bulb Baster is squeezed, creating a partial vacuum, and then the stem is inserted into the juices at the bottom of the pan. When the pressure is released on the bulb, the juices are drawn into the stem so they can be transferred over and around the meat, adding flavor and creating a glaze.