Orange Ricotta Pancakes

Oh I love breakfast! When I  lived in Huntington Beach, we had a million different breakfast nooks to try. There was one such place in Newport Beach that was a tiny little cafe with amazing pancakes. My roommate and I set out to create our own and this is what we have. I made them the other morning for Jared and he loved them (hint: make sure to warn your husband that there is cheese in them so he won't be freaked by how soft they are).

1 3/4 cups part-skim ricotta cheese (15oz)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp grated orange zest (1 orange)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 Tbl canola oil
powdered sugar or maple syrup

In medium bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, orange zest. Stir in 2/3 cup all-purpose flour until just combined.

Heat 3 T canola oil in a large non-stick over med-low heat.

Working in batches (and adding more oil to skillet as needed), add batter, using 1/4 cup per pancake.

Cook until browned (4 to 5 minute per side)

Transfer pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain

Serve hot, dusted with confectioner's sugar or drizzled with maples syrup, side of orange, and anything else for breakfast.

Makes 4 servings

Grilled Cheese Party

Last night we had a grilled cheese party for my husband's birthday. It was so fun and so easy to put together. Here was my shopping list, in case you want to throw one too.

Cheeses (a few ideas)
Manchego
Muenster
Cheddar
Buffalo
Swiss
Havarti
Gouda
Smoked Gouda
Jarlsburg (my FAVORITE)
Cream Cheese

Additional Sandwich items
Butter (to butter the outside)
Apples
Apricot Jam
Orange Marmalade

Breads
Wheat
White
Sourdough
Artisan bread of any kind

Soup
Creamy Tomato Soup (see recipe below)

Drinks
Lemonade
Martinelli's
Ginger Ale and Cran/Raspberry drink

Other items
Toothpicks with flags on them to label the cheeses
Crock pot to keep the soup warm
Several plates, cutting boards, etc. to display cheeses
Panini Makers, George Foreman Grills, etc. (have people bring theirs if they have them, makes the cooking go by much quicker)
Bowls
Plates
Soup spoons

In past times, so you're not the one with a ton of cheese left over, I've had people bring their favorite cheese, topping for a grilled cheese, or bread. For yesterday though, I just went to Costco and bought these packages with assorted cheeses. They work great - we had 4 normal cheeses, 4 artisan cheeses and a couple of other cheese that I really like.

Have a good time and let me know if you do it!