Light and Creamy Ricotta Pancakes

Ricotta cheese lends delicious warmth and creaminess to make these pancakes a perfect way to greet a cool early spring morning. Light and fluffy besides, a thorough and patient beating of the egg whites with an electric hand mixer is essential … I still can't quite believe that I used to beat egg whites by hand with a whisk, but it is good exercise for the arm.

Light and Creamy Ricotta Pancakes

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on March 23, 2010 These light, fluffy and creamy ricotta cheese pancakes are simple to whip up Print this recipe Ingredients: 4 large eggs, separated 3/4 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder pinch of sea salt zest from 1/2 lemon 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 pint fresh or frozen blueberries (optional) Instructions: Combine egg yolks, milk, honey and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest. Cover with a clean dish cloth and set aside to rest for 15 minutes. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the batter, leaving a few white streaks. Gently mix in the ricotta, leaving small chunks of cheese in the batter. Stir in the blueberries if using. Heat a non-stick griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease the pan with butter. When the pan is hot enough to makes drops of water dance and sputter before vanishing, pour in 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until small bubbles appear on the edges, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes or until the batter is set and the sides are golden brown. Remove from heat and serve right away with fresh fruit and warm maple syrup on top. Makes about 16 4-inch pancakes

Other pancake and ricotta cheese recipes you may enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Ginger Molasses Pancakes with Mixed Fruit
Blueberry and Cornmeal Buttermilk Pancakes
Vanilla Oat Pancakes
Rum and Ricotta Fritters
Baked Ricotta Cheese

On the top of the reading stack: Selected Prose of Heinrich von Kleist

Audio Accompaniment: Insomnia by Biosphere