Cheats Potato Blintzes: A Surprisingly Simple Comfort Food

I remember the first time I tasted a blintz. It was at my grandmother’s house, a whirlwind of flour, aprons, and Yiddish endearments. While hers were the real deal, made with delicate homemade crepes, these “Cheats Potato Blintzes” offer a shortcut to that same comforting feeling. They trade the traditional crepe for egg roll wrappers, resulting in a surprisingly crispy and satisfying bite that still evokes those heartwarming memories of family and delicious food. These blintzes are proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated – just heartfelt.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 5
• Yields: 10 blintzes
• Dietary Type: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 lbs onions, sliced (about 2 large)
• 1 pinch sugar
• 1 1/2 lbs buttery potatoes (such as Yukon Gold) or 1 1/2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
• 10 purchased egg roll wraps, 7-inch square, corners trimmed to make rounds
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment Needed

• Heavy large skillet
• Vegetable steamer or pot for boiling
• Large bowl
• Fork or potato masher
• Work surface
• Nonstick skillet
• Paper towels
• Baking tray
• Baking paper

Instructions

1. Begin by caramelizing the onions. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of sugar. Covering the skillet, cook until the onions are deeply browned, stirring frequently. This will take about 20 minutes. The sugar helps them to caramelize beautifully. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside half for serving, keeping the remainder for the filling.

2. While the onions are cooking, prepare the potatoes. Place the peeled and cubed potatoes on a vegetable steamer rack and steam in a covered pot over boiling water until they are tender. This usually takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the potatoes until they are soft.

3. Once the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Add the 1/4 cup of milk and mash until the potatoes are almost smooth. Don’t over-mash them; a few lumps are fine and add to the rustic texture. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Now, incorporate half of the cooked onions into the mashed potato mixture. Mix well until everything is evenly combined. This is your delicious potato filling. At this point, you can prepare the filling a day ahead. Simply cover the potato filling and remaining onions separately and chill. Rewarm the onions before serving.

5. Assemble the blintzes. Place one egg roll wrapper on a clean work surface. Lightly brush the edges of the wrapper with egg white. This will act as a glue to seal the blintz. Arrange a scant 1/3 cup of the potato filling in a 3-inch log horizontally just below the center of the wrapper.

6. Fold the bottom of the egg roll wrapper over the filling. Then, fold the sides inward, like you’re wrapping a small package. Finally, roll up the wrapper tightly to enclose the filling completely. Repeat this process with the remaining filling and wrappers until you have ten perfectly formed blintzes.

7. Heat 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. This lower heat is crucial to prevent the blintzes from burning before they are heated through. Add half of the blintzes to the skillet, seam side down, and fry until they are heated through and golden brown and crisp on all four sides. This should take about 10 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even browning.

8. Drain the fried blintzes briefly on paper towels to remove any excess oil. Repeat the frying process with the remaining blintzes.

9. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Place all of the fried blintzes on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Lightly spray the blintzes with olive oil (or vegetable oil). Bake for 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through, to ensure they are crispy on both sides.

10. To serve, arrange the baked blintzes on plates. Top each serving with a dollop of yogurt (or sour cream) and a spoonful of the remaining caramelized onions alongside. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors!

Expert Tips & Tricks

• Don’t skip the caramelizing step. Those deeply browned onions are essential for flavor.
• Use good quality potatoes. Yukon Golds are buttery and flavorful, but russets work well too.
• Avoid overfilling the wrappers. Too much filling will make them difficult to roll and seal.
• Ensure a tight seal. The egg white is your friend here! A well-sealed blintz won’t burst open during cooking.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry the blintzes in batches to ensure even browning.
• Adjust oven time based on your oven. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve these Cheats Potato Blintzes immediately while they are still warm and crispy. The combination of the savory potato filling, sweet caramelized onions, and crispy wrapper is best enjoyed fresh. The yogurt and extra caramelized onions provide a cool and tangy counterpoint to the richness of the blintzes.

Leftover blintzes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until crispy again. For longer storage, you can freeze the blintzes. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	199.1 kcal	N/A
Calories from Fat	31 kcal	16%
Total Fat	3.5 g	5%
Saturated Fat	0.6 g	3%
Cholesterol	3.7 mg	1%
Sodium	197.3 mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate	36.5 g	12%
Dietary Fiber	2.9 g	11%
Sugars	3 g	N/A
Protein	5.6 g	11%

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Variations & Substitutions

• Sweet Blintzes: For a sweet variation, omit the onions in the filling and add a touch of cinnamon and sugar to the mashed potatoes. Serve with fruit compote or jam.
• Gluten-Free: Look for gluten-free egg roll wrappers. They can be found in some specialty stores or online.
• Dairy-Free: Use your favorite non-dairy milk alternative (such as soy, almond, or oat milk) in place of cow’s milk. Also, skip the yogurt topping or replace it with a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
• Different Fillings: Get creative with your fillings! Consider using other vegetables, cheeses, or even meats. Spinach and ricotta, mushroom and Gruyere, or chicken and herbs would all be delicious variations.
• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the onion mixture or a dash of hot sauce to the mashed potato filling for a kick.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use low-fat milk in the potato filling?
A: It’s best to avoid low-fat or nonfat milk for the filling. The higher fat content of whole milk contributes to a richer, creamier texture.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time and freeze them?
A: Yes! These blintzes freeze very well. Just wrap them individually and store them in a freezer bag. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Q: My blintzes are bursting open when I fry them. What am I doing wrong?
A: Make sure you’re not overfilling the wrappers and that you’re sealing them tightly with the egg white. Also, avoid using too high of heat, which can cause the filling to expand too quickly.

Q: The egg roll wrappers I bought are square, not round. Can I still use them?
A: Yes, you can still use square egg roll wrappers. Simply trim the corners to make them as round as possible before filling.

Q: Can I bake these instead of frying them?
A: Yes, you can bake them. Basting with a little oil will help them crisp up in the oven.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – Cheats Potato Blintzes, a delicious and surprisingly simple way to enjoy a comforting classic. These blintzes are perfect for a quick weeknight meal, a cozy weekend brunch, or even a potluck gathering. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and toppings to create your own unique version. Now, go ahead, gather your ingredients, and get cooking! And don’t forget to share your creations with me – I can’t wait to hear what you think!