Wholemeal Ricotta Pancakes with Berry Sauce and Grilled Pears

I am starting off my RSVP Series(Cheese) with Ricotta, since I am partial to it :). Although not technically a cheese, I am categorizing it in here for ease since it is mostly known as cheese ( Ricotta CHEESE! Duh! )

Ricotta Cheese is a soft, low-fat unsalted cheese which can be made from sheep,goat or cow milk. It has a slightly granular texture and is widely used in Italian cooking.Its mild, clean flavor means that it is incredibly versatile. It makes a wonderfulling filling for pasta where it is sometimes combined with spinach. Source @ Books and Internet

I have come across many families, where women usually keep their routine foods for weekdays and make something special on the weekends. That being the norm for obvious reasons( time to make something,family around to eat together etc), I seem to be made of something from outer unknown planet! A typical specimen who likes to make all sorts of foods during weekdays but absolutely nothing during weekends! Oh yeah! my reason is the same as mentioned earlier - lots of free time ( so utilize that for lazing around!), family around - so more reason to spend time with them than to slog out all alone in the kitchen :-)



But got to feed the family right! So thats when I thought of making more hearty breakfast! why? Dont have to make elaborate lunch and dinner cos usually a hearty and fulfilling breakfast cuts down the appetite for the rest of the day ( Oh well!I am Evil!) Anyways a balanced meal would include something from every food group in the pyramid. I have tried to include from almost all the groups resulting in a satisfying meal.

They cater to our taste, so do try variation around it, to suit your palate, cos this is one wonderful meal which is not to be missed.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat flour ( Usualy they are made with plain flour with baking powder. I have skipped them with the healthy wheat)
  
  
• approx. 1/4 cup Fat free/Low fat Ricotta Cheese
  
  
• 1 tsp ground ginger
  
  
• 1 tbsp brown sugar ( + or - as per your taste)
  
  
• 1 egg (optional, if not using egg increase the qty of milk)
  
  
• 1/2 cup fat free/low fat milk ( increase to 1 cup if cutting out egg)
  
  
• 1 pear
  
  
• 1/4 cup mixed berries, fresh/frozen
  
  
• about 2 spoons of butter,brown sugar and cinnamon mixed together to form a paste
  
  
• honey/malt syrup to taste
  

No, wait - dont go seeing the long list. Its simple really ! :)

Method

1.mix the wheat flour,sugar and ginger powder together.



2.Add the ricotta,milk and egg, if using and mix well till it becomes smooth without lumps. It should be of pourable consistancy.



3.Heat a non stick pan, coat with Pam spray ( Cuts out the unwanted butter) and pour down the batter to form round pancakes.



4.Meanwhile take the berries in a m/w bowl. If fresh, add few tbsp water , M/w for 2-3 min till there's liquid. Add some honey/Malt syrup to adjust the tartness and set aside.



5.Cut the pear lengthwise, remove the seeds and apply the butter,cinnamon and sugar mixture to it



and grill it skin side up in a grill pan greased with PAM butter spray.



Take them when done. We like the crunch of the fresh fruits so I dont grill for long.



6.Take the Pancakes, drizzle it with berry sauce and one half of grilled pear. This alongwith one cup of hot tea is so fulfilling and healthy.

This has wheat,fruits,protein from ricotta and milk and little bit of fat. You can also sprinkle it with oats. Or else sometimes cut out that tea and have some fresh vegetable juice to make it a total balanced meal :)

Related Ricotta Recipe

Berry Healthy Ricotta Dessert

This is my entry to

1. AFAM : Pears by Raaga

2.MM : Spring Fruits Sensations Event by Abby initiated by Meeta

3.WBB : Balanced Breakfast by Mansi