Ricotta Pancakes
These are our favourite weekend pancakes, I warn you they are addictive. Whisking the egg whites make these pancakes light and fluffy and adding ricotta gives them a lovely creaminess.
Flavour combos ~
In this version I add vanilla extract, but you can change it up and use lemon zest instead (lemon and ricotta are a marriage made in heaven). Sometimes I also throw berries straight into the batter too.
Serve these with ~
Maple syrup and blueberries & if you’d like to avoid maple syrup then try this easy and quick frozen berry sauce recipe, would be a delicious accompaniment, maybe even a dollop of natural yogurt
Why I love ricotta ~
Ricotta is a really versatile ingredient and particularly good for children who are averse to the flavour of “cheese” as it has a very mild flavour. It is made from whey and is traditionally a by-product of making other cheeses, such as mozzarella. I always find it a useful ingredient to have in my fridge, for example I use it as a layer in my Vegetable Lasagna. If you haven’t tried ricotta pancakes yet then give these a go: ricotta is a low fat option (for cheese) but still has a beautifully creamy texture. That is what makes these pancakes extra delicious.
250g ricotta
125ml milk
2 organic eggs, separated
100g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
125g - 150g blueberries (1 small punnet)
vegetable oil, for cooking
In a bowl combine the ricotta, milk, vanilla extract and egg yolks, break up with a spatula until smooth. Next add the flour and baking powder. In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites by hand, for just 2 mins or so, just so they are softly firm. Fold into the pancake mix, lightly, to retain the air and keep the mix light and fluffy. Finally, fold through the whole blueberries (optional).
Heat a large frying pan and lightly brush with veg oil. Drop in a spoon of batter, cook until bubbles appear in the surface, then flip them over and cook for another minute. They should be lightly golden on both sides. Serve with blueberries and a little maple syrup.