Berry Pancakes With Ricotta Maple Syrup Food

FLUFFY AND DECADENT BLUEBERRY-RICOTTA PANCAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the milk, sugar and vanilla until well combined. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk until just combined--do not overmix; small flour lumps are okay. Gently fold in the ricotta cheese until just barely combined. Again, some ricotta clumps are okay.
• In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar (if using) at medium speed until frothy. Then switch to high speed and beat until soft peaks form, 4 to 6 minutes. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter until just combined.
• Heat a griddle over medium heat and give it a 3-second spray with nonstick spray to coat. Dip a 2-ounce (56-g) ladle into the batter and ladle onto the griddle. Be sure to leave enough space between the pancakes to get your spatula in there to flip. Cook over medium heat until the bottoms are golden brown and the pancakes are just beginning to set, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle each pancake with a few blueberries, pressing them in gently. Flip over and continue to cook until golden on the second side. Remove from the heat and repeat with the remaining batter. Serve with maple syrup and butter.

FLUFFY LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH BLUEBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• For the blueberry sauce: Place the blueberries in a small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup water, then stir in the honey. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a low boil and the blueberries just start to break apart. Dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl, then add the slurry to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Turn the heat down and simmer on low heat until the sauce is nicely thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Set aside until ready to serve. (See Cook's Note.)
• For the pancakes: Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the ricotta, milk, vanilla, eggs and lemon zest and juice in a separate medium bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees F.
• Heat about a tablespoon each vegetable oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet (I prefer cast-iron) over medium heat. When the butter is foamy, reduce the heat to medium-low and ladle a heaping 1/4 cup pancake batter into the skillet. Repeat to make 2 more pancakes. Cook until bubbles start to form in the batter and the pancakes are golden underneath, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other sides until golden, another 3 minutes. Place the finished pancakes on a sheet tray and hold the oven while you finish cooking the remaining batter, adding more oil and butter as necessary. Serve warm with the blueberry sauce.

LEMON & RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH BLUEBERRY MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine the ricotta, egg yolks and milk in a bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. Add the flour, baking powder, lemon zest and juice and a large pinch of salt to the ricotta mixture, then stir in a small spoonful of the egg whites. Fold in the remaining egg whites in batches using a large metal spoon until there are no big lumps (there should be a few smaller lumps of egg whites visible).
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a couple of heaped tablespoons of the batter, carefully spreading it into a circle using the back of the spoon. Cook for 2-3 mins on each side until golden, transferring them to a plate and covering with a tea towel to keep warm as you go.
• To make the blueberry maple syrup, tip the blueberries and maple syrup into a small pan and warm gently over a low heat until the blueberries have completely burst, around 8-10 mins. Serve the pancakes in small stacks drizzled with the blueberry syrup.

BREAKFAST RICOTTA WITH BERRIES & MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small saute pan over medium heat. Stir in the almonds and saute, tossing frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the almonds are a golden brown. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel, add the maple syrup and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, honey and vanilla and divide it among breakfast plates. Surround the ricotta with the berries and spoon the almond and maple syrup mixture over the ricotta. Place a slice of toasted brioche on each plate and serve warm.
• Set a medium-meshed sieve over a deep bowl. Line the sieve with two double layers of cheesecloth and dampen the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a large stainless steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally (a full rolling boil means that the bubbles have expanded in the pot). Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one minute until it curdles.
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl, discarding the liquid as it collects in the bowl. Allow it to drain at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker it will be. Transfer the ricotta to another bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Yield: about 2 cups

BERRY RICOTTA PUFF PANCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place butter in a 12-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet. Place in oven until butter is melted, 4-5 minutes; carefully swirl to coat evenly. , Meanwhile, in a blender, process eggs, ricotta, milk, vanilla and lemon zest until blended. Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and process until blended. Pour into hot skillet. Top with berries., Bake until puffed and sides are golden brown and crisp, 25-30 minutes. Remove pancake from oven; serve immediately with confectioners' sugar.