Pancake Day

I hope that you all had a nice weekend.  The weather is still brutally hot here, so we headed to the ocean for some kayaking.  Mornings usually begin the same way in our house.  I ask my daughter what she would like for breakfast and she will always ask what her options are.  I dilligently go through the list, even though she knows it as well as I do.  We begin every day this way, except for Sunday.  Sunday she doesn't have to ask because Sunday is Pancake Day.  

Still in pyjamas we whisk, mix and stir our way to happiness.  I have tried many recipes and variations over the years, but this version is hard to beat.  They come out light, fluffy and crisp around the edges, just the way we like them.  Often I'll fill a squeeze bottle with batter and we will "draw" our pancakes in the pan.  My daughter, who dreams of visiting Antarctica, requested a pancake picture of her, in snow gear, exploring the Arctic tundra.  A tall order, but I did my best.

If you do try the squeeze bottle pancakes, I found it helpful to outline the shape first then fill in the rest after that has set for a few seconds.  This will keep your creation tidy.

Here is my version of Perfect Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter (this is key)
1 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
Handful of washed blueberries

First beat the eggs with the milk, until light and foamy, then stir in your slightly cooled melted butter.  Whisk in your dry ingredients followed by the ricotta cheese and let the batter stand for about 10 minutes, while you prepare your pan.  The batter will thicken slightly.
A griddle or frying pan on medium heat will work well for cooking.  I like to use a frying pan with a mixture of vegetable oil and butter to coat the hot pan.  The oil keeps the pancakes from sticking and the butter gives them a slightly crispy texture at the edges.
Ladle out cupfuls of batter or use the squeeze bottle to shape your pancakes.  Now is a good time to add blueberries to your pancakes.  Let cook until the batter begins to bubble in the center then flip each one to cook the other side.  Remove when browned and enjoy!

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