We’ve recently begun the Russian Orthodox preparation for Great Lent (the fast for Easter), and blini are always served at my church for the three Sundays prior to the start of the fast. It’s a favorite in my family and we’ve made them twice in the past three days.

But if you are served blini by a babushka, I don’t recommend eating more than one serving per week. They literally use melted butter as one of the toppings. True story.