Recipe + Giveaway: Whole Wheat-Ricotta-Almond Pancakes

Ever since I got a new two-burner griddle a few months back, I've been obsessed with pancake making. So when Hodgson Mill held their Have a Grain Holiday contest, there was no doubt what my entry was going to be.

While it's not as winter festive as, say, gingerbreads or fruitcakes, these whole wheat-ricotta-almond pancakes are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make--perfect for the morning after that labor-intensive holiday feast (or honestly, any time of year!) The whole wheat flour gives it a hearty texture and a distinctly "wheaty" flavor while the ricotta cheese keeps the pancake moist, fluffy and tender, and sliced almonds in the batter gives it that pleasantly soft whisper of a crunch.

Ingredients (for approx. 10 palm-sized pancakes):
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (as part of the contest, Hodgson Mill provided me with theirs)
2 oz. sliced almonds plus an additional handful for garnish
2 Tbsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
8 oz. ricotta cheese (I used Angelo & Franco's)
3/4 cup full or reduced-fat milk
3 eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Directions:
1. Whisk/beat the 3 egg whites until soft peaks form, set aside.
2. Preheat griddle/skillet to medium heat
3. In separate bowls, combine the dry ingredients (flour, almonds, sugar, salt, baking powder) and wet ingredients (milk, cheese, egg yolks, extracts) in separate bowls before mixing them together.
4. Gently fold in the whipped egg whites.
5. If your griddle is not non-stick, lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil before each batch.
6. Using a ladle or large spoon, drop palm-sized dollops of the batter onto griddle.
7. When the edges of the batter start to bubble (approx. 2 minutes) flip them with a spatula and let it cook for another 1-2 minutes.
8. Garnish with sliced almonds and serve with your choice of syrup or compote (I'm partial to my express raspberry syrup, which is simply combining roughly equal amounts of frozen raspberries & maple syrup and heating - on stovetop or microwave - until the berries give off their juices--sometimes I blend it afterwards for a smoother texture.)

In addition to generously providing me with the flour for this recipe, Hodgson Mill is also holding a contest for 50 lucky folks to win a "Holiday Gift Pack" assortment of their flours and baking mixes.

And in an almost infomercial-esque fashion "But wait, there's more!"

U.S. readers of this blog get an additional opportunity to win a Hodgson Mill assortment (valued @ $25) by commenting here with your e-mail. I'll randomly draw a winner for this giveaway by Saturday, December 8, at noon PST.  

And even if you don't win, Hodgson Mill has a $1 off coupon towards any 5 lb. package of their flours.

Good luck!

No. 208: Brunching at Cecconi's (West Hollywood)

When I first received the invite to try out Cecconi's Ricotta Pancakes, I'll concede my first reaction was an indifferent "Ok, well good for them." I mean, I love ricotta pancakes and their airy-light, creamy-rich and slightly chewy texture, but they are kinda all over town.

However, upon closer inspection of PR pitch and realizing that these are actually cheese-stuffed pancakes with "ricotta oozing out," my curiosity got piqued and so I went there for a hosted sampling with The Minty and Dishing Up Delights.

Of course, this blogger meetup turned out to be more than just a pancake tasting . . . it was a boozy brunch feast that left all of us rolling in satisfaction.

Our meal started out with an assortment of Cecconi's cicchetti, traditionally Italian snacky bites though here 2-3 orders would be substantial enough for a meal, especially given how hearty they were (such as Cubano-esque porchetta & fontina sliders, quail eggs with tonnata sauce and marinara-smothered, goat cheese-stuffed squash blossoms.)

But being carb-fiend that I am, my favorite small plate was definitely the gnocchi [alla] romana with gorgonzola. The fluffy, oversized dumplings went wonderfully with the stretchy, rich and ever-so-mildly-bluey cheese sauce, the baked-on sage added a nice aroma to boot. And actually I think it's a smart move to keep this at a manageable cicchetti size, 'cause as indulgent as these things were, I don't think I can handle even a primi portion of it.

At the risk of sounding like a Semi-Ho, it wouldn't be a proper brunch without a some libations. But unlike Semi-Ho, our cocktails were actually respectable sippers - all leaning on the breezy and refreshing side, such as classic Moscow Mule and Queen's Park Swizzle. I opted for a more modern Rye whiskey-based Peach Smash, a simple-yet-effective summery cocktail that's equal-parts spicy, spritzy and fruity [without being too sweet.] Alas, with peaches going outta season looks like I'll have to wait till next year to re-embrace this particular drink.

Next up came our savory entrees; while I did enjoy my wood-baked frittata with pancetta & mushrooms, the clear standout is definitely their potato rösti topped with a sunny-side-up duck egg and black truffle shavings. It's a seductress of a morning dish that tempts all the senses, with its more-orange-than-yellow yolk, intoxicating truffle perfume, and clearly audible crisp with each cut & bite of the rösti. You can only imagine how it feels & tastes . . .

And then, the dish we were all looking forward to - the ricotta-filled hotcakes with blueberry compote. Consider my curiosity & palate thoroughly satisfied . . . these were amazing-tasting lovechildren of cheese blintzes and ricotta pancakes. In fact, I'd even say they one-upped their parents, since I've never cared much for blintzes (too much cheese for the thin crepey pancake) and as tasty as standard ricotta pancakes are, the back of my mind is always wondering "Ok, where is the actual cheese?" The compote here is solid stuff too, vibrant with blueberry flavor and adorned with lots of succulent berries too!

Finally, even though we thought we just had dessert with the hotcakes, the Chef sent out a sweets sampler platter with all sorts of fun bite-sized sugary treats. Since I'm already on a ricotta kick, I loved the mini canoli and light-than-usual cheesecake best. (Tip: I was also informed that this can be ordered as an off-the-menu special.) Oh, if only people can hand these out instead of waxy, bland, [not so] fun-sized candies during Halloween . . .

But all in all, color me a convert of brunch @ Cecconi's. The price is a tad upscale, but the premium is well worth it particularly for a special occasion brunch. The food was solid and the service impeccable (not just for us blogger folks, I've been observing our dining neighbors too...) and the patio setting, surrounded by high hedges and topped with a frosted skylight, made for a great respite from its noisy, urban surroundings.

And you can definitely count on me to return for that gnocchi, rösti and hotcake!

What Do Others Say?
- In a two-star review, LA Times' S. Irene Virbila noted that "with the possibility of half-portions, thin-crusted pizza and moderate prices, I'm betting this user-friendly Italian will have legs."
- Gayot declared it a top 10 Italian & celeb-spotting restaurant for 2011, adding that "far from the molecular-minded trends of today's dining scene, Cecconi's feels classic and timeless."
- In the write-up to accompany its now-expired deal, Gilt City L.A. says it "is one of the city’s most glamorous Italian restaurants, reprising the original Cecconi’s London that hosted royalty throughout the ’80s. The L.A. version caters to more modern aristocracy."
- Deep End Dining got an alien autopsy/squid ink extraction experience here, then enjoyed a "truly exceptional" squid ink risotto with clams.

Cecconi's
8764 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 432-2000
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No. 202: Katy's Place (Carmel)

This is definitely one post to file under "better late than never" . . .

When my friend Caleb inquired about spots to eat in the Monterey/Carmel, my mind instantly jumped to Katy's Place -- an eatery I went to (at Josh's recommendation) almost a year ago when I roadtripped to Monterey, San Francisco and Sonoma.

After a six hour drive to get into Carmel, it was absolute bliss to sink into this cozy, comforting café. Yes, it's all sorts of kitschy too with bric-a-bracs galore, but after a red-eye drive, I found all the knick-knacks charming . . . even the ones perilously perching on high shelves or dangling from the ceiling.

The price is considerably higher than the norm, especially for a casual diner spot (breakfast dishes here run $13-18), but the portions and quality more than make up for it. The three of us shared:

Three Swedish Pancakes ($13.50), each the size of a lumberjack's fist and generously stuffed with assorted berries and whipped cream, topped with a drizzle of raspberry sauce. The pancakes are more like crepes and have a distinctly wheaty flavor, and it worked well with the cream & berries (despite what the photo suggests, there's not a whole lotta cream here and they're merely hiding the cup's worth of berries that went in each pancake.)

Corned Beef Hash 'n Eggs made with red potatoes, mushrooms, onions, parsley and lean brisket ($14.50) . . . topped with poached eggs and served with even more taters. Every bit as tasty as Josh described, it's beefy and comforting, the juicy brisket going wonderfully with the medley of veggies and herbs . . . made even more indulgent once the luscious, runny yolks slather all over the mixture.

Santa Fe Benedict with tomatoes, avocado, grilled onions and spicy hollandaise ($15.50). For size comparison, note the coffee mug. And in case you can't quite tell with all the spicy Hollandaise... this is a three-egg benedict... along with one and a half avocado and scoopful of perfectly caramelized onion strands. Overall, I love this variation of the traditional benedict -- and can't wait to try their other ones next time I swing by (including ones made with Maine Lobster and crab cakes!)

Honestly, if we had known the gianormous portions that were brought forth . . . the three of us would've done just fine with two dishes (and we felt incredibly bad at being wasteful, leaving behind one pancake and a third of the hash behind.) And while I'll admit it's hefty in price and calories, it is definitely worthwhile as vacation grub . . . and comes with the added perk of keeping us full well past lunchtime.

Katy's Place
Mission Street between 5th and 6th
Carmel, CA 93921
831.624.0199

Special Foodventures #137: Simply Blissful Brunch, Bites and Sips in Silver Lake

Needing a respite from the August & wildfire-induced heat and haziness (not to mention a recovery from crazy run-and-eat-and-repeat "real food marathon" the day before,) I took myself to Silver Lake, where I enjoyed a brunch, a brief hike and a food-paired beer tasting.

The day started with a one-mile hike down Silver Lake Blvd., which felt only borderline warm-hot just before noon, so not really unbearable (I'm guessing the large reservoir helped cool the surrounding ambient temperature somewhat.) Still not exactly a weather I'd choose to jog in, as a few hardcore exercisers were doing as I hiked my way to Reservoir, a seasonal-foods-focused restaurant that recently started a brunch.

Even in the slightly smoky-ashy haze, the patio would be pleasant for brunching -- but given my hike I opted for the cooler interior instead. Not sure if exec. chef Gloria Felix recognized me from a previous media dinner, but she was really pleasant greeting me while chilling at the bar.

Feeling more sweet than savory (big surprise, huh?) and generally digging any brunch menu that offers ricotta pancakes, I ordered that with a side of seasonal fruit ($10) -- and I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of food given. These were simply superb, griddled to an ever-so-thin layer of crispiness on the outside while being fluffy-tender within. The trio of pancakes were delicious enough to eat with just the whippy-tart lemon creme fraiche and blueberry sauce toppings, but even better with a little dip of the accompanying maple syrup.

And having been used to fruit sides of just melons, pineapples and grapes, I was also shocked to be served a bowl bursting with mixed berries and melons. Fresh, ripe and naturally sweet (unlike some fruit plates where you question whether it's been splashed or drenched in simple syrup before serving.)

Also refreshing was their brunch cocktail, a watermelon-apricot soju mist ($9), with the fruits freshly smashed and shaken to order with soju and a sierra mist and served in a pint glass. A bit on the girly side with the soda's sweetness, but a refreshing change from the usual mimosa and bellini, and I always love a drink concocted with fresh fruits. Even better that I get such a hearty helping!

Following the delightful brunch (and a Zachary Quinto sighting, even though I am not one to get starstruck), I ordered a iced coffee to go from LA Mill to help fuel my one-mile hike back to my car, where I rested a little and caught up on my Sunday LA Times reading before the Silver Lake Wine $20/person Sunday tasting with Heirloom LA.

This was actually their one week of the year where they do a beer tasting instead, and given the intense heat, definitely no complaints here about tasting some cold fizzy brews. And SLW being SLW (or shall I say SLB?) their picks for today are eccentrically delectable, from the lively, light and citrusy Foret Saison ale to the peachy, spicy Thai Basil-infused Bruery Trade Winds Tripel (one of my faves from Craft Beer Fest) and the rich, chocolatey Allagash Black stout.

Of course, there's the great eats from the two person catering powerhouse of Heirloom LA a.k.a. Matthew Poley and Tara Maxey (the latter also contributes the great "Market Driven" columns to FoodGPS, highlighting in-season produce, how to pick them and what to use them for.)

The fantastic dishes that they paired with the beers included a sweet-and-spicy arugula salad with sweet potatoes, shaved fennel, feta cheese, mushrooms cooked in sage brown butter and sriracha, a spinach-artichoke-ricotta agnolotti (pictured above) in more sage brown butter with their "heirloom stock" and a topping of stewed tomatoes, a beer mac 'n cheese lasagna with cole slaw and side of incredibly tender freshly-carved and sauteed corned beef, and a chocolate brioche bread pudding with a chocolate creme fraiche sauce and a blowtorch-toasted marshmallow topping.

The bites were tasty, and actually filling enough to be a meal. I did wish I planned the day a little better (or at least brought an ice chest along!) since Heirloom LA were selling their notable lasagna cupcakes and SLW were offering the reasonably priced tasted beers with an additional 10% discount. But alas, I had to be on the road for another couple of hours and I'm pretty sure both those things won't fare well sweating away in my car in the afternoon.

But a brunch and lunner (with drinks) for approx. $40 in Silver Lake definitely made for a delightful weekend day -- next time, on a cooler day, I may not even mind doing a whole 2.2 mile loop around the beautiful Silver Lake reservoir and explore (and eat) around the neighborhood a little bit more.

Additional photos from my day on the flickr here.

Reservoir Restaurant
1700 Silver Lake Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026-1222
(323) 662-8655
Website



Silver Lake Wine
2395 Glendale Blvd.
LA, CA 90039
323.662.9024
Website

Mini Foodventure #77: Adams Avenue Grill (San Diego)

It's 4 a.m. and we're dropped off at the starting point of the San Diego half-marathon. The eventual 7,500 of us are a varied mix -- from first-timers eager about their longest race yet to seasoned pros looking to beat their personal best. Me? I'm thinking "Gee, I haven't eaten since 6:30 p.m. last night -- and the race doesn't start for another three hours . . ."

You can imagine how hungry I was around 9 a.m. in the finish line area. While everyone else were hanging around the pavilion checking their times, doing cool down stretches, giving each other high-fives and picking up the usual finisher freebies, I just dashed another mile to meet up with my dining companion to head to brunch.

Like the pre-race dinner joint Terra, I found Adams Avenue Grill through cursory searching of Citysearch, Chowhound and Yelp. Despite its limited breakfast menu, it got fairly good reviews -- so worth a shot. I also liked that it wasn't too close to the finisher's area (and thus won't be too packed and busy with other runners looking to recover their carbs as well).

Located in the University Heights neighborhood, the restaurant has a casual neighborhood, slightly artsy ambience (the closest LA restaurant comparison I can think of is Marston's, but bigger and more humble-looking/run-down, depending on how you look at it). It didn't us long to decide on our order.
I got their special blueberry-walnut pancakes, which looked nice on the menu but was a bit of a miss when it came out. The pancakes themselves were fluffy and light, but the blueberries were unusually tart and they didn't chop up the walnuts, and it's a bit jarring to suddenly get half a nut in my mouth. I'd much rather have smaller pieces distribute throughout to get a consistent light crunch.
Likewise, the topping on my dining companion's triple-berry compote triple pancake stack turned out way too sour. Thankfully, the compote only soaked through the top cake so she ate mostly the bottom (which were decent, albeit ordinary, buttermilk pancakes). I tried to correct with extra maple syrup, but neither of us finished our stacks. The side of fruit is the usual pineapple-melon blend so nothing to write about. Coffee was good though.

Not sure if that was just an off-day for the kitchen or if San Diego folks like everything a bit more acidic, but it wasn't a brunch that I cared for. It's not so bad I'll avoid it entirely, but I'll probably return only at the recommendation of my other friends down there. In the meantime, I'm sure there are lot more great morning eats to be found in the city.

Adams Avenue Grill
2201 Adams Avenue
San Diego
(619) 298-8440
http://www.adamsavenuegrill.com