Pumpkin Ricotta Pancakes With Chunky Apple Raisin Sauce Food

PUMPKIN-RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH CHUNKY APPLE-RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• For the compote: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the apples, cinnamon stick, star anise, and brown sugar. Cook until the apples are softened, about 4 minutes, then add the cider. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer (BTB, RTS), then continue cooking until the liquid has reduced by half.
• Add the maple syrup and raisins. Simmer for another 3 to 4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and serve spooned over the pancakes, dusted with powdered sugar if desired. Try not to eat too many.
• For the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, ricotta, milk, vanilla, and egg yolks. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Make a hole in the center of the flour mixture and add the pumpkin mixture and mix gently to combine.
• In a medium bowl, combine the egg whites with a pinch of salt. Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the egg whites until they hold stiff peaks and look very fluffy, like snowdrifts.
• Using a rubber spatula, add a small scoop of the egg whites and mix it into the batter to lighten the mixture. Once combined, scoop a third of the egg whites into the pumpkin batter and fold to gently combine. Repeat this process two more times until all the whites have been added. Do this gently but quickly--the idea is to not squish the air out of the egg whites. This is the secret to keeping the pancakes fluffy!
• Place a griddle over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, drop a pat or two of butter onto the griddle. Once melted, schmear the butter around and wipe up any excess with a paper towel.
• Using a medium ice cream scoop or a small ladle, pour the batter onto the buttered griddle to create 3-inch pancakes. Let the pancakes cook until bubbles appear on the surface, burst, and then stay open--this will take about 5 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook the second side until golden brown. Place the cooked pancakes on a sheet tray and place in a warm oven. Re-butter the griddle and repeat until all the batter is gone or everyone is full. Hold the finished pancakes in the warm oven.

PUMPKIN-RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH SPICY APPLE-CIDER CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the caramel sauce: Combine the cream, apple juice, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, ginger and nutmeg in a medium saucepan, and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and let steep for at least 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm while you make the caramel.
• Combine the sugar, 1/2 cup water, and the cider vinegar in a medium saucepan over high heat, and cook without stirring until it reaches a deep amber color, about 8 minutes. Slowly strain in the warm cream, whisking constantly; continue whisking until smooth. (Be careful! The caramel will bubble up as you add the cream.) Whisk in the apple schnapps and cook for 30 seconds longer. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm. (The sauce can be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated. Reheat over low heat before serving.)
• For the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Place a baking sheet with a rack in the oven to heat.
• Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger in a large bowl.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, ricotta, pumpkin and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and whisk until just combined; do not overmix. Let the batter sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Heat a large nonstick pan or griddle over medium-low heat. Brush with melted butter or spray with nonstick spray. Drop a scant 1/4 cup of the batter onto the pan; cook until small bubbles form on the surface and at the edges and the bottom is lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes. (Adjust the heat if the bottom browns too quickly.) Flip, and continue cooking until golden brown on the reverse side, another 2 or 3 minutes. Remove to the rack in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve the pancakes with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a dollop of creme fraiche.

PUMPKIN-CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Wrap the outside (bottom and side) of a 9-inch springform pan with foil. Make the crust: Pulse the cookies and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted butter; pulse to combine. Press into the bottom and about 1/4 inch up the side of the pan. Brush the side of the pan lightly with melted butter. Bake until golden and set, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack; cool completely.
• Make the filling: Drain the ricotta in a fine-mesh sieve, 20 minutes. Combine with the sugar in the food processor; pulse until smooth. Add the pumpkin, eggs, mascarpone, vanilla, pie spice and salt; pulse until combined. (Do not overmix.) Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Bake until set around the edge but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 1/2 hours to 1 hour 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until cold and set, at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Make the topping: Chop 1 cup cranberries and put in a small saucepan with the sugar, lemon juice, salt and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat until thick, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 3/4 cup whole cranberries; cook 2 more minutes. Let cool.
• Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature 20 minutes, then run a thin knife around the edge and remove the springform ring. Add a splash of water to the cranberry topping to loosen, if needed, then spread over the cheesecake.

PUMPKIN-RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH CHUNKY APPLE-RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Make a hole in the center of the flour mixture and add the pumpkin, ricotta, milk, vanilla and egg yolks and mix gently to combine.
• In a medium bowl, combine the egg whites with a pinch of salt. Using a mixer or whisk, beat the egg whites until they hold stiff peaks and look very fluffy, like snowdrifts.
• Using a rubber spatula, scoop a third of the egg whites into the pumpkin batter and fold to gently combine. Repeat this process two more times until all the whites have been added. Do this gently but quickly ¿ the idea is to not squish the air out of the egg whites. This is the secret to keeping the pancakes fluffy!
• Place a griddle over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, drop a pat or two of butter onto the griddle. Once melted, schmear the butter around and wipe up any excess with a paper towel.
• Using a 2-ounce ladle, spoon ladlefuls of batter onto the buttered griddle to create 3-inch pancakes. Let the pancakes cook until bubbles appear on the surface, burst, and then stay open ¿ this will take about 5 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook the second side until golden brown. Re-butter the griddle and repeat until all the batter is gone or everyone is full. Hold the finished pancakes in the warm oven.
• For the compote: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the apples, cider, cinnamon stick, star anise and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer (BTB, RTS), then continue cooking until the liquid has reduced by half, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the maple syrup and raisins. Simmer for another 3 to 4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and serve spooned over the pancakes, dusted with powdered sugar if desired. Try not to eat too many.