Chive Blini

Directions

1. 1
   Stir together yeast, 1/4 cup milk, and sugar in a large bowl until sugar is dissolved, then let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
2. 2
   (If yeast doesn't foam, discard and start over.)
3. 3
   Add 1 1/4 cups milk and rice flour, whisking until smooth.
4. 4
   Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sponge rise in a warm place until bubbly, about 1 hour.
5. 5
   Meanwhile, whisk together yolks, sour cream, 2 tablespoons butter, and remaining cup milk in a bowl.
6. 6
   Whisk yolk mixture into bubbly sponge, then add all-purpose flour and sea salt, whisking until smooth.
7. 7
   Stir in chives.
8. 8
   Beat egg whites in a bowl with an electric mixer until they just hold stiff peaks, then fold into batter.
9. 9
   Let stand 30 minutes.
10. 10
    Put a buttered large baking sheet in oven and preheat oven to 200F.
11. 11
    Brush some of remaining butter onto bottom of a 10-inch nonstick skillet and heat over moderate heat until hot but not smoking.
12. 12
    Add 1 cup batter and cook until underside is lightly browned and surface is covered with holes, about 2 minutes.
13. 13
    Turn over with a wide spatula and cook until golden on bottom and puffed, about 1 minute more.
14. 14
    Brush top with some melted butter, then transfer to buttered baking sheet.
15. 15
    Cover loosely with foil and keep warm in middle of oven.
16. 16
    Make 5 more blini in same manner (you'll have 2 extra), stacking them on baking sheet in 2 piles with sheets of foil between blini.