Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

I absolutely love brunch. I'm constantly experimenting with different recipes (expect Chai French Toast next!). I also love hosting guests. As you can tell, both of these loves marry together pretty well.

I want my home to feel like a comfortable bed and breakfast where guests are welcomed with little scented soaps and toilettries and freshly laundered linens. In the morning, I greet guests with a beautiful delicious breakfast spread. Here is one of the recipes that I recently made for a house guest. It's citrus season and the farmer's market is full of unbelieveably beautiful fragrant meyer lemons. I couldn't resist making these. The citrus flavor is vibrant and enhanced by the lemon curd. The egg whites lend a fluffiness to the pancakes and the ricotta adds a richness.



Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

2 large eggs, separated
1 1/3 cups milk
1/3 cup ricotta cheese (low fat or skim)
1 tablespoon grated Meyer lemon zest
1/3 cup lemon curd
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

(1) Mix flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
(2) In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites until peaks form.
(3) In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk milk, egg yolks, lemon zest, and lemon curd. Fold in ricotta cheese and dry mixture.
(4) Gently fold in egg whites into the egg yolk mixture.
(5) Heat a non-stick pan. When hot, dot some butter into the pan. I measure pancakes using an ice cream scoop. This ensures perfect round pancakes every time. Cook until lightly brown on each side.

Enjoy!

New Year, New Adventures

Hi everyone! The past few months have been very busy for us. In November, I planted the winter garden and then it was off to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Kept my fingers crossed that there would be enough rain in my absence!

V and I jetted off to Morocco, Spain and Portugal to have new adventures with old friends. Of course, relaxed from vacation, I came back to a crazy work schedule. One week after returning, I needed another vacation!

Now, with my project done, I've been able to catch a breath. I set my New Year resolutions and am excited about the new adventures to come in 2011. I'm fanatical about my resolutions. Last year, it was to get over my life-long fear of water. I not only learned to swim, I even got a scuba license!

I want to wish all of you a wonderful New Year and hope that everything you wish for comes true!!!!!!!!

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One of my New Year's goals is to post more often on this site. Below is a recipe for breakfast tacos. The key to this recipe is in the ingredients. They have to be the best you can find, farm fresh.



"Sausage," Farmer's Market Eggs, with Avocados, Onions and Tomatoes.

1 Morningstar sausage patty
2 Farmer's market egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk or half and half
1 fresh wheat tortilla
1 Farmer's market tomato
1/2 avocado, sliced
2 slices onions
3-4 small slices jalapeno
1 lime
salt and pepper

(1) Cook sausage patty in pan. Remove sausage and crumble.
(2) In same pan, add eggs and milk/half and half. Add salt and pepper. Stir until cooked.
(3) Heat tortilla on open flame on stove. This is another secret weapon. The firing adds a smoky flavor to the taco.
(4) Assemble the taco: Add eggs/sausage to tortilla.
(5) Top with tomato, avocado, onions, jalepeno, and a squeeze of lime.