Strawberry Ricotta Hotcakes Food

STRAWBERRY RICOTTA HOTCAKES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bow, sift together the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl combine the melted butter, ricotta cheese, milk, egg yolk, and lemon zest. Mix well. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the milk mixture, stirring until the dry ingredients are just moistened. In a small, dry clean bowl beat the egg white until soft peaks form. Gently fold the egg white into the batter. Add the berries, being, being careful not to overmix. Cook according to the hotcake technique below.
• Hotcake Technique: Grease a seasoned pancake griddle, if necessary, and place over moderate heat. The griddle is hot enough when a few drops of water dance on the surface. Using a scant 1/4 cup of batter for each hotcake (unless otherwise instructed), pour the batter onto the hot griddle.
• Cook the hotcakes on the first side until they are puffed and full of bubbles, looking dry at the edges, then turn and cook for one minute or until cooked through.
• Serving Suggestion: Dust with powdered sugar, garnish with sliced strawberries, and serve with Pistachio Praline Butter.

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES WITH RICOTTA CREAM

Steps:

• Put the ricotta cheese, honey and vanilla extract into the small bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• In a small saucepan combine the vinegar and sugar and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, toss the berries with the basil and the balsamic syrup.
• Divide the cream among 4 cocktail glasses, top with the berry mixture and serve.
• Excellent source of: Vitamin C, Manganese
• Good source of: Protein, Vitamin K, Calcium, Phosphorus, Selenium

STRAWBERRY RICOTTA CREPES

Steps:

• For the crepes batter: Stir the flour, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl. Combine the milk, water, eggs and melted butter in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add the flour mixture. Blend just until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender carafe. Let the batter rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, if time allows.
• For the filling: Combine the sliced strawberries and 2 tablespoons of honey in a medium bowl. Refrigerate 30 minutes, if time allows.
• Beat the drained fresh ricotta with the remaining 3 tablespoons honey, mint and lemon zest in a medium bowl with a wooden spoon until light and smooth.
• Heat a nonstick crepe pan or large nonstick saute pan over a medium flame. Spray with the cooking spray. Ladle about 2 ounces of the crepe batter into the center of the pan and swirl. When the center begins to set, flip with a spatula and continue cooking until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining crepe batter (it will make 8 to 10 crepes).
• Fill the crepes with the ricotta mixture and roll up. Spoon the strawberries over the crepes. Dust with the confectioners' sugar.

SPICED RICOTTA HOTCAKES

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch pepper in a large bowl. Thoroughly mix the ricotta, milk, egg yolks (reserve the whites) and vanilla in a second large bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
• Separate the egg whites into a medium bowl; reserve the yolks for another use. Lightly beat the egg whites with a handheld electric mixer until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. (Alternatively, use a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment). Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter. Let the batter rest about 5 minutes.
• Heat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Melt enough butter to just coat the surface. Working in batches, pour 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle for each hotcake and cook until golden brown and puffed, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with confectioners' sugar and drizzled with pomegranate molasses.