1. First, we’re making the blini batter. Mix all the ingredients together until smooth, then let it chill for like 5-10 minutes. Once the batter’s had its lil rest, heat up a pan with a bit of oil or butter and spoon in small circles of batter. I usually use 3/4 of a tablespoon. Here’s the pro tip: when you see those cute little holes popping up on the surface, it’s time to flip them. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes until they’re golden and gorgeous. Boom, your blinis are born. Pop them on a cooling rack to chill out – no soggy bottoms here.
2. Grab a bowl and mix the ricotta cream. For this, stir together ricotta, olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper until it’s smooth and creamy. Then load it into a piping bag if you’re feeling fancy, or just keep a spoon handy for the easy aesthetic.
3. Once your blinis are cool, dollop or pipe some ricotta cream onto each one. Get creative – a little swirl, a casual blob, whatever your heart desires. Now they’re ready for toppings.
4. For Blini topping 1, toast the walnuts in a pan without adding additional fat. Take them out and let them cool. Thinly slice the shallots into delicate rings and fry them in a bit of oil until crispy. Set aside to cool. Add half a walnut onto the blini, as well as about 1 tsp of the crispy onions. Finish with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of pink peppercorns. Toss on a few fresh thyme leaves and finish with a few drops of chili oil for a spicy kick that ties it all together.
5. For Blini topping 2, slice fresh figs into eighths. Place one fig wedge on the ricotta cream, then crumble some blue cheese on the other side – as much or as little as your vibe calls for. Add a few drops of truffle oil, sprinkle with freshly ground pepper, and garnish with a touch of chopped chives to seal the deal.
6. For Blini topping 3, flake some cooked salmon into bite-sized pieces and nestle it onto the ricotta cream. Slice red onions into thin strips, then scatter a few pieces on top along with some capers. Add a few drops of olive oil, a grind of fresh black pepper, and finish with a couple of dill sprigs.
7. For Blini topping 4, tear thin slices of pastrami into strips, roll them into little spirals, and press them onto the ricotta. Diagonally halve some cornichons and place one half on the blini. Drizzle a few drops of walnut oil for a rich, nutty twist. Top it all off with a sprig of fresh parsley for a classy finishing touch.
8. For Blini topping 5, thinly slice radishes into delicate rounds and place two slices on one side of the blini. On the other side, gently press on a little bunch of radish cress for that pop of green. Finish with a few drops of basil oil for a fresh, herbaceous flair.
9. Serve these cute appetizers on a platter and watch them disappear in seconds.

1. Cut the mushrooms and shallot into very small pieces or pulse briefly in a food processor. Finely chop the parsley. Cut the puff pastry into 16 equal squares and tear the Prosciutto di Parma into 16 pieces. Crack an egg into a bowl and whisk it.
2. Start by heating a large pan over medium heat and add the chopped mushrooms without any fat. Let them cook until all the water has evaporated and they start to brown slightly. This step keeps them from turning mushy later. Once they’re lightly browned, add a tablespoon of butter and stir. Add the chopped shallot and fry together until the shallots are soft. Deglaze the pan with three tablespoons of red wine and let it reduce for about 5–8 minutes until no liquid remains on the bottom. Stir in the chopped parsley, dried thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
3. While the mushroom mixture cools, heat another pan with one tablespoon of butter and quickly sear the beef fillet on all sides so that it’s browned on the outside but still raw inside. Take it out of the pan, let it rest briefly, and cut it into 16 equal pieces.
4. Now assemble the parcels: place a piece of Prosciutto on each puff pastry square, leaving a small border around the edges. Spoon about half a teaspoon of the mushroom mixture onto each piece of ham, then place a piece of beef on top. Brush the beef with a little mustard, then roll up the pastry and seal the edges well.
5. Place all the pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and put them in the fridge while you preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). When the oven is ready, take them out, make a few diagonal cuts on top of each piece, and brush with the beaten egg.
6. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and crisp. If the beef pieces are very thin, they might not stay medium in the center but they’ll still be incredibly tender and melt in your mouth. Serve warm, ideally with Cumberland sauce.

PREPARATIONS

• Slice the shallots into thin rings.
• Peel the garlic and cut it into thin slices.
• Finely grate the Parmesan.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt butter in a pot and sauté the risotto rice, shallots, and garlic for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they look glossy and smell amazing.
2. Add broth and white wine to the pot, bring it to a boil, and let it reduce over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the liquid is halved.
3. Pour in the cream, toss in the grated Parmesan, and stir gently over the lowest heat until the cheese is melted. Be careful not to overheat – it’s all about that smooth, creamy vibe.
4. Once the risotto rice is soft, blend the soup with a hand blender until it’s silky smooth.
5. Strain the soup through a fine mesh strainer into another pot. You’ll end up with a little clump of risotto and Parmesan left in the sieve that can be tossed and don’t forget to scrape off the bottom of the strainer for extra flavor! Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve with a few drops of truffle oil and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.