Pancakes

Pancakes are a delightful way to start the day and are quite simple to prepare. Here’s the basic recipe for making pancakes, but with an Italian twist, you could add some ricotta to the mix to make the pancakes softer and richer.

Ingredients

• 200 g of flour
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 large eggs
• 250 ml of milk
• 30 g of melted butter (plus a little more for greasing)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• Ricotta (optional, add about 100 g if you want to try it)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
2. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract if you are using it. If you have decided to use ricotta, add it at this stage and mix until it is well incorporated into the liquid.
3. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ones and mix just until they combine (don’t worry if there are lumps, it’s important not to overmix).
4. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and brush with a little butter.
5. Pour the batter onto the hot skillet using a ladle to form pancakes of your preferred size.
6. When you see bubbles on the surface and the edges look dry, flip the pancake with a spatula and cook until the other side is also golden brown.
7. Serve warm with your favorite topping, such as maple syrup, jam, fresh fruit, or Nutella.

Trivia

Although pancakes are a North American specialty, the addition of ricotta is an Italian adaptation that makes them particularly tasty. Ricotta, with its creamy texture and delicate flavor, pairs perfectly with the sweetness of maple syrup or fruit.