The Winning Secret to Acing Brunch: These Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

April 19, 2024.

By Matt Broussard

From his Grandma Beverly’s kitchen in South Texas to some of the top restaurants in Seattle, Matt Broussard has been cooking his whole life (at least since his belly button reached the stove). Taking his passion fully online after 12+ years in restaurants, Matt has drawn more than 8 million followers on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook. Honored by Zagat for his industry work and named “The Most Fun Chef to Watch on TikTok” by Forbes, acooknamedmatt brings the best of all worlds to the table.

For years, I would try to dodge working the brunch in restaurants. As a chef, the mere mention of those early mornings and the aftermath of late-night shifts stressed me out. Brunch, with its relentless demands and rounds of mimosas, didn’t exactly top my list of favorite culinary experiences.

But as life goes, one of my top requests as a creator and chef is to make breakfast or brunch foods. Life has a funny way of nudging you towards the very things you’ve been avoiding. And while I never enjoyed working during the AM service, I do enjoy some of the food we used to make.

Brunch service is a different beast altogether. It requires a level of commitment that not every chef is willing to give. Waking up at the crack of dawn, sometimes after a grueling night in the kitchen, isn’t exactly my idea of a good time. But as they say, if you have to do it, you might as well do it right.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that even the most daunting tasks can be made better with a touch of creativity. And that’s where the magic of Lemon Ricotta Pancakes comes in.

These Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are a brunch game-changer. The fluffy texture of the pancakes combined with the tangy sweetness of the lemon curd creates a burst of cheery, bright flavors for the spring. It’s the perfect winning secret to any brunch, whether you’re hosting a small gathering or it’s just for you.

The recipe is simple, yet the results are pretty delicious. These have been a favorite among every person I’ve served them to. Here’s what you’ll need:

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Recipe

Ingredients:

For the pancakes:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup ricotta
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Pinch of salt
• Zest of two big lemons 🍋🍋
• 1/4 cup melted butter

For the lemon curd:

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• Meyer lemon slices to finish (optional)

Instructions:

Lemon Curd:

• In a double boiler, whisk together the lemon juice, sugar, and eggs.
• Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes velvety smooth (176°F)
• Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Pancake Batter:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, egg, ricotta, half-and-half, baking powder, sugar, salt, lemon zest, and melted butter.
• Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

Pancakes:

• Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
• Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
• Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side.
• Repeat with the remaining batter.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Stack the pancakes on a plate and top with a generous drizzle of lemon curd.
• Garnish with Meyer lemon slices. (optional)

While I no longer work in a restaurant that requires my appearance for brunch, I’m thankful for every memory and opportunity I’ve had along the way. I hope you enjoy this jackpot flavor combo at your brunch! And for even more jackpots, check out Cafe Casino Jackpots where you can play tons of games that offer progressive or hot drop jackpots, including the super popular Reels and Wheels XL.

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