LIGHT AS A FEATHER.

We're still in berry territory around here but this time they're red. There's only about a week left before they abandon us for another year so it's beyond my control really. The raspberry-cane-in-a-pot on my balcony has been producing a bountiful handful of ripe berries a day for the last week and because I've just been shoving them in my mouth I haven't been able to come up with an excuse to show them off. I bought the plant at the Milk Market last year when it was just a baby sporting three berries. Despite my best efforts it survived the winter and came out of hibernation in the spring and now stands about 5 foot tall in it's own jumbo terracotta pot. So through no fault of my own I had to find something more interesting than a fistful of berries to show you. 

I remembered these feathery ricotta pancakes from Nigel Slater's Kitchen Diaries and not only did they make the perfect home for the raspberries but they also used up a close to eviction tub of ricotta and fed an in-the-door-from-school child. Though not exactly an everyday snack they served their purpose once sandwiched together with a thick layer of Nutella and she always gets a kick out of holding a bowl of stiffly beaten egg-whites upside down over her head (it's the little things that count). The recipe is pretty simple, the ricotta is what makes these pancakes soft and tender and the egg whites give them their lightness so be at your most gentle folding them in. Sprinkle the berries in at the last moment and just fold them in enough to hide them. They add a burst of flavour which needs no embellishment (unless you happen to be seven years or under) and as the weather is supposed to be reasonable this weekend I think you should make them for brunch. If, heaven forbid, the forecast should be wrong make them anyway, I think they're pretty close to what sunshine should taste like.

This recipe is from Nigel Slater's Kitchen Diaries.

RASPBERRY RICOTTA PANCAKES

• 250c ricotta cheese
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 3 eggs, separated
• finely grated orange zest
• 2 tbsp (about 25g) melted butter, plus a little extra for cooking
• 50g plain flour
• 100g raspberries

1. In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, caster sugar and egg yolks. Add the orange zest into the bowl and stir in gently with the melted butter. Sift in the flour and carefully fold in. In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a balloon whisk until stiff (or until you can hold the bowl upside down over the head of a giggling child). Fold these into the the ricotta mixture being careful not to knock the air out. Lastly fold the raspberries in gently, a few turns of a large metal spoon should be enough.
2. Warm a non-stick frying pan over a moderate heat and brush with a little butter. Place a heaped tablespoons of mixture in the pan, however many you can fit in without overcrowding. Let them cook for a minute or two until they have risen a little and the underside is beautifully golden, then flip them over using a pallette knife to cook on the other side. Do this quickly so that they don't collapse while you are trying to turn them. Another couple of minutes cooking should colour the underside, then serve immediately, hot from the pan.

Makes 8 (serves as many as you feel deserve them).

Comments

[Deborah]

My in-laws gave us a raspberry plant this year, but I don't think it fared the move very well. Hopefully we will get some raspberries next year! These look delicious!

[tartelette]

These look scrumptious! I know I would kill this poor plant, not being a green thumb is an understatemnet with me, but I am sure glad you do!

[Lydia]

Just picked some late-season raspberries this afternoon. These pancakes would be so perfect for breakfast...

[brilynn]

Those really do look fluffy and light! Delicious!

[peabody]

Well this puts my breakfast of strawberry Pop Tarts to shame...lol. Looks great.

[Laura]

Shh Gracie, the little one knows nothing about strawberry Pop Tarts, if she did I know which one she would choose!

[Jenny]

That would be a pretty amazing after school snack - but after that, would your child be willing to go back to a less tasty snack? Mine wouldn't!

[Anita]

I was just thinking I needed to spice up my pancake recipe - this looks perfect!

[Sarah]

Hi Laura,
I bought a raspberry plant off the market guy earlier in the year & stuck it in the garden. I think I've to tie it up though as there are two long "arms" that have flopped to the sides and there's not a raspberry in sight!!! Maybe next year... I was gutted as raspberries are by far my favourite berries!
Sarah