Blackberry Ricotta Pancakes

I had some ricotta cheese in the fridge and had picked up some fresh blackberries at Costco.  I was in the mood for some pancakes.  I thought Ricotta cheese and blackberries with a touch of lemon zest would make great pancakes.  I was right - these pancakes were delicious.  They were like eating a fluffy blackberry cheesecake in pancake form.  And the lemon zest, well what can I say but lemon zest always adds extra zing to food.  Deliciousness in every bite.

These pancakes make a perfect breakfast..  You'll start everyone's day with love.

Blackberry Ricotta Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup ricotta cheese drained if necessary
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs, separated into yolk and whites
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup fresh blackberries, slighty smashed
Butter for the pan

Directions:
1. Whisk togethe flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
2. Combine ricotta, milk, egg yolks, lemon zest, and vanilla in a larges mixing bowl.  Add the dry ingredients to the ricotta mixture until just combined.
3. Add the fresh blackberries to the mixture and stir until combined.
4. Beat eggs whites until stiff peakes form. Gently stir a small scoop of the egg whites into the pancake batter, then fold in the remaining egg whites with a spatula.
5. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Melt a small amount of butter in the pan, just enough to coat the skillet.  Using a 1/3-cup measure, scoop out the batter and pour onto the hot griddle.  Cook the pancakes for about 3 or 4 minutes, until the undersides are golden.  Flip and cook another 2 to 3 minutes.  Repeat with the remaining pancakes.

Makes 8 to 10 pancakes