Orange and Ricotta Pancakes

When you want something a little sweet, and very tasty and easy to make, try these Orange and Ricotta Pancakes. This recipe makes about. If you have any left over, you can freeze them - they reheat quite well in the microwave, or feed them to friends.

250g ricotta cheese - low fat works okay if you're watching the fat content in your diet
4 tbspns sugar
3 eggs, separated
1 large orange
50g plain flour
2 tbspns butter

1. Combine ricotta, sugar and egg yolks in a bowl. Add grated orange zest and flour and mix well.
2. Beat egg whites until stiff. 
3. Fold the beaten egg whites into the ricotta mixture (remember, you want to keep as much air in them as possible, so don't beat the mixture too hard - cut and fold with a metal spoon is how Miss Searle taught me to do it in Home Science classes at high school). 
4. Melt butter in a non stick pan. 
5. Drop heaped tablespoons of batter into the pan (don't try more than 3 at a time). Cook over a medium heat until coloured then turn to cook other side.
6. Eat.

They're yummy with honey or jam. They would probably go well with maple syrup. I've got some ideas up my sleeve so will let you know if I come up with something new. After checking Niki Segnit's book, The Flavour Thesaurus, I'm seriously thinking about beefing up the orange flavour (extra orange zest), and making a rich coffee fluffy coffee mousse ...