Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Lemon Curd and Berries

lemon ricotta pancakees

Spring is around the corner with Easter, Mother’s day, Father’s day and summer in the near future. I can’t think of a better breakfast or brunch option than these lemon ricotta pancakes during the warm weather.

The lemon and the ricotta remind me of spring and time to lighten up, no more heavy winter foods.

The pancakes are enhanced by a dollop of lemon curd spooned on top that warms up with the heat of the pancake and mingles together with the maple syrup as you cut through them, the flavors are out of this world!

six inch pancakes

I chose to make 6 inch size pancakes, but you can certainly make smaller ones but I would suggest to double the recipe if your making them they’re that good! I yielded 6, six inch pancakes with this recipe.

pancakes with lemon curd

The lemon curd is a must, don’t bother making it from scratch, there are some great store bought brands which are good quality and taste terrific.

pancakes and berries

Garnish with fresh seasonal berries and I promise you this will be a hit with your family and friends in the months to come!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Lemon Curd and Berries
 
Fluffy texture bright flavor in these lemon ricotta pancakes.
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Serves: 6 -6 inch pancakes
Ingredients
  • 1 cup of full fat ricotta cheese, if using deli kind let the moisture drain out, otherwise purchase a full fat variety that is typically located by the cream cheese, mozzarella area in a grocery store.
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk ( you definitely want the consistency of pancake batter, you might want to add a little more or less depending on how thick it is when mixed.)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp of sugar
  • zest of a whole lemon
  • 1 jar of lemon curd
  • fresh berries
  • butter for swiping the pan
  • powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
  1. In a medium sized bowl add the drain ricotta cheese, then add in the eggs, milk, vanilla, lemon zest and whisk well to combine.
  2. In a smaller bowl add the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt, whisk well to combine.
  3. Now add the flour mixture to the wet ricotta ingredients folding gently with a spatula until you see no dry flour areas.
  4. Heat up your pan, swipe with a little butter, like I said i made 6 inch pancakes so I poured about a third or so on the bottom and shook the pan to spread the batter evenly around.
  5. I kept heat at medium and didn't flip until bubbles were showing up in the middle and edges of the pancake, you can peak underneath to make sure you see an nice golden brow, then flip over.
  6. Give the other side a couple of minutes then place onto a wire rack instead of paper towels, you don't want them to get soggy.
  7. Eat them warm dust with powdered sugar and serve them with a dollop of lemon curd on top along with fresh berries.

 

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Chicken Francese with Angel Hair Pasta

lemon chicken with pasta

Chicken Francese is an Italian-American dish that consists of thinly pounded chicken cutlets, dredged in flour then egg, then fast sautéed and which will ultimately end up in a delicious lemon, butter and wine sauce.

It sounds like chicken piccata but it’s really not. Picatta has capers, this does not. Picatta is dipped in egg then flour, Francese is dredged in flour first then egg, and it really makes a difference.

francese process

You must have thinly sliced chicken breast, so you’ll need to slice a whole breast lengthwise and then pound it down a little, of course unless you can find it already done for you like I did.

Another important thing is you’ll want to heat your pan up really good and hot, add the oil and when the olive oil shimmers you can do your fast cooking on each side, but don’t over crowd the pan!

lemony chicken with pasta

I love serving this dish with angel hair pasta better known as capellini,  the thin strands soak up all the juices, it’s perfect!

chicken and pasta

For something green I made some rapini on the side which went very well with it all.

teen enjoying food

My family came over and we made this dish together, a fun night together and we enjoyed every bite!

5.0 from 2 reviews
Chicken Francese with Angel Hair Pasta
 
Chicken swimming in a delicious lemony butter sauce served with capellini pasta.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 4 whole chicken breast, thinly sliced lengthwise to equal 8 pieces all together pounded down to make them nice and thin
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup of white wine
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 3 cloves, chopped garlic
  • 1 lemon zested and sliced
  • butter and olive oil
  • fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 lb. of angel hair pasta/ capellini
Instructions
  1. Set up all your ingredients first, have everything chopped and ready. to go because this goes pretty fast, while you're doing that start heating up your pan, don't use a nonstick pan, stainless is best for this.
  2. Have your dredging stations set up, in the flour add salt and pepper, in the egg mixture also add salt and pepper.
  3. Add a good amount of. olive oil to the hot pan and when its starts to ripple you're good to go.
  4. Dredge your cutlet into the flour first then into the egg, don't over crowd the pan do it in stages if you have to, I did 3 at a time.
  5. Quick fry on each side about 3 minutes, then set aside.Chicken should be tender and golden crispy.
  6. No need to clean your pan, now add the lemon slices and lightly brown on each side then remove and place with the chicken.
  7. Now add a good knob of butter and more olive oil and saute your shallot and garlic together.
  8. Now deglaze with the white wine and let it reduce to half.
  9. Add another knob of butter and stir in around 3 tablespoons of flour to make a roux.
  10. Now add the stock, lemon, juice and zest, then keep stirring till it thickens up a bit.
  11. Now it's time to put the chicken and sliced lemons into the lemony sauce, I actually got a bigger pan and just poured all of the sauce on top.
  12. Let it all simmer together for a little bit making sure chicken is cooked through.
  13. Have your pasta cooked, make sure to scoop some of that sauce into the cooked pasta, it's time to eat!
  14. Garnish with chopped parsley, a little drizzle of olive oil
  15. This dish is best eaten right away, I wouldn’t make it ahead.
  16. Enjoy

 

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Mushroom Bolognese

mushroom and pappardelle

If you’re a mushroom lover then this mushroom bolognese is the dish is for you. It’s hearty, so satisfying, a definite cold weather food, quick to make and so full of flavor.

sofrito

It’s a vegetarian take on traditional bolognese where savory mushrooms replace the meat.

baby bella mushrooms

Look how hearty that is, savory mushrooms enhanced with thyme and a little bit of rosemary is the main show stopper, along with the veg, garlic and other savory goodness.

stove top bolognese

Thick ribbons of pappardelle pasta tossed into the sauce is what I prefer, but honestly feel free to use any kind of pasta you like.

mushroom bolognese

Like I said this dish is quick to make so it would be great for a midweek meal or a special impromptu dinner party.

plated mushroom bolognese

During the cold winter months this hearty bowl of mushroom bolognese will become your new comfort food.

Mushroom Bolognese
 
Savory mushrooms replace the meat in this vegetarian version of bolognese.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. of pasta, papardelle or pasta of your choice.
  • 1- ½. lbs. cremini mushrooms, or a mix of your choice
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • ¾ cup tomato paste
  • ¾ cup white wine
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • rosemary and thyme
  • ¾ cup grated parmigiano reggiano
  • butter and olive oil
  • pasta water
  • parsley
Instructions
  1. In a food processor add the carrot, celery ,onion and garlic, pulse it until you get a nice uniform course chop. ( otherwise finely chop by hand). Remove veg from bowl and set aside.
  2. Next in 2 batches do the same with the mushrooms, pulse til coarsely chopped (or by hand).
  3. In a large heavy bottomed pan drizzle ¼ cup of olive oil and a pat of butter.
  4. Add the veg, with some salt, pepper thyme and rosemary to taste, saute around 5 minutes til softened.
  5. Add the chopped mushrooms and saute until you see little moisture, about 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in the tomato paste
  7. Add in the wine until it evaporates.
  8. Add in the milk and a little pasta water if need be to loosen it up.
  9. Season to taste, add the grated Parmigiano, a nice drizzle of olive oil and garnish with fresh parsley.
  10. Toss the cooked pasta into the mushroom mixture and after plated, more cheese, parsley and a drizzle of olive oil for garnish.

 

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