Name: Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups ricotta; 2 cups mixed fresh berries; 1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons sugar, divided; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup chestnut flour; 2 tablespoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 4 large eggs, separated; 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; Melted unsalted butter for brushing; **Ingredient info:**Chestnut flour can be found at specialty foods stores.

Photo by Ditte Isager

"The mark of a great pancake is that it can be eaten without syrup," says chef Travis Lett, who serves this dish at Gjelina, his Venice, CA, eatery. His version delivers: It's nutty, lemony, and ever so moist. Be sure to fold the ricotta into the batter very gently: "That way, when you bite into the pancake, you get these pockets of pillowy ricotta."

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups ricotta

2 cups mixed fresh berries

1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons sugar, divided

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chestnut flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

4 large eggs, separated

2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest

1 1/2 cups whole milk

Melted unsalted butter for brushing

**Ingredient info:**Chestnut flour can be found at specialty foods stores.

Preparation

Step 1
Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth; set over a small bowl. Add ricotta to strainer and let drain for 15 minutes; set aside.
Step 2
Gently combine berries, 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let macerate, tossing occasionally, until sugar dissolves and juices are released, about 15 minutes.
Step 3
Whisk both flours, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. Gradually beat in 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until peaks form. Whisk the egg yolks, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and zest in another medium bowl to blend. Whisk in milk. Add the yolk mixture to dry ingredients; whisk just to blend. Add half of the egg white mixture; fold just to blend. Fold in ricotta, then remaining egg white mixture.
Step 4
Heat a griddle or large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-low heat; brush with melted butter. Using scant 1/2 cup batter for each pancake and working in batches, ladle batter onto griddle and cook until bottom is golden brown, edges are dry, and bubbles form on top of pancake, about 1 1/2 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until browned and just cooked through, about 1 minute. Transfer pancakes to plates. Serve with berries and their juices.

TagsPancake Lemon Citrus Fruit Ricotta Cheese Dairy Berry Chestnut Nut Breakfast Brunch Nut Free Electric Mixer Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

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