Perfect Cheese Blintzes

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1. 1Step 1: The night before: Place the ricotta cheese from the filling ingredients into a strainer lined with cheesecloth placed on top of a bowl. Let the ricotta drain overnight in the refrigerator to remove excess liquid. Note: this step is optional, it will help the filling to thicken so it won't be quite so soft and goopy in the center.
2. 2Step 2: Blend all of the blintz ingredients together using a food processor, blender, immersion blender or electric hand mixer. Consistency of the batter should be smooth (no lumps). Alternatively, you can use a fork to mix all ingredients together until the batter is smooth. Make sure you get rid of all the lumps.
3. 3Step 3: Warm up a nonstick skillet on medium heat until hot. The skillet is ready when a drop of water sizzles on the surface of the pan. If the water pops or jumps out of the pan, the skillet is too hot—let it cool slightly before starting. If the water sizzles, it's at the perfect temperature. Grease the entire surface of the hot pan generously with nonstick cooking oil spray (keep the oil spray away from gas stovetop flame).
4. 4Step 4: Pour the blintz batter by 1/3 cupfuls into the pan, then tilt the pan in a circular motion till the batter coats the entire bottom of the pan in a large, thin circular shape.
5. 5Step 5: Let each blintz cook for 60-75 seconds until the edges of the blintz brown and the bottom of the blintz is lightly golden. You can tell it's ready by touching the center of the pancake's surface—it should be dry and slightly tacky to the touch. Do not flip the blintz to cook the other side. Use a spatula to take the blintz out of the pan and place it on a plate.
6. 6Step 6: Keep the blintzes separated by pieces of parchment paper, wax paper, or paper towels. This will help keep them from sticking together.
7. 7Step 7: When all of the blintzes are cooked, create your filling. Put all of the filling ingredients into a mixing bowl, then use a fork to mix them well. Filling should be well blended but slightly lumpy.
8. 8Step 8: Now you're going to stuff and wrap up your blintzes! Put 3 tbsp of filling on the lower part of the blintz, about an inch from the edge.
9. 9Step 9: Fold the lower edge of the blintz up over the filling.
10. 10Step 10: Fold the sides of the blintz inward, as though you're folding an envelope.
11. 11Step 11: Roll the blintz up and over the filling like a burrito, tucking the edges in as you roll.
12. 12Step 12: When the blintzes are stuffed and rolled, you are ready to fry them. Pour 1/4 cup of vegetable oil into the skillet and heat over medium until hot. Do not let the oil turn brown or start smoking—if this happens, discard the oil and try again. Cook the blintzes in batches of 3—this will give you space to turn them easily in the pan. Carefully place the stuffed blintzes flap-side down into the hot oil. The blintzes should fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until they're brown and crispy.
13. 13Step 13: Turn the blintzes carefully using a spatula and/or tongs, then fry for an additional 1 1/2 - 2 minutes. Blintzes should be evenly browned on both sides.
14. 14Step 14: Serve blintzes warm. They can be served as-is or topped with fruit topping, sour cream, applesauce, whipped cream or maple syrup.