Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Syrup & Crème

• In a second small bowl, combine remaining crème fraîche, 1⁄2 tsp sugar (1 tsp for 4 servings), 1⁄4 tsp lemon zest (1⁄2 tsp for 4), a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to taste. • Heat a medium, dry pan over medium-high heat. Add almonds and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, 2-4 minutes. • Turn off heat; transfer almonds to a plate to cool. Wipe out pan.

• Heat pan used for almonds over medium- high heat. Add jam and maple syrup. Cook until bubbling, 1-2 minutes. • Turn off heat; stir in 11⁄2 TBSP solid butter (3 TBSP for 4 servings) until melted. Add a couple squeezes of lemon juice (save at least 1 wedge for pancake batter) and a big pinch of salt. Set aside.

• In a large bowl, combine honey Dijon dressing with orange zest to taste. Add spinach, half the sliced orange, half the feta, and half the toasted almonds. Toss until well combined; season with salt and pepper to taste. • Transfer salad to a serving platter. Sprinkle with remaining sliced orange, feta, and almonds.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs*, melted butter, reserved crème fraîche, half the milk, half the ricotta, 1⁄2 tsp lemon zest, and juice from 1 lemon wedge. (For 4 servings, use all the milk, all the ricotta, and 1 tsp lemon zest.) • In a second large bowl, combine 11⁄2 packets tempura batter mix (all 3 packets for 4), 2 TBSP sugar (4 TBSP for 4), and 1⁄4 tsp salt (1⁄2 tsp for 4). Whisk in milk mixture until just combined.

• Heat a drizzle of oil in a large, preferably nonstick, pan over medium heat. (TIP: Use butter instead of oil if desired.) Add a few 1⁄4-cup scoops of batter to pan. Once bubbles form on tops of pancakes (about 1-2 minutes), flip and cook until golden, 30-60 seconds more. (TIP: Lower heat if pancakes begin to brown too quickly.) Transfer to a plate. (If you want to keep your pancakes nice and warm, transfer to a baking sheet as you make them; place in preheated oven until ready to serve.) • Repeat process with remaining batter, adding more oil between batches if necessary. TIP: For quicker cooking, use 2 nonstick pans, or a griddle if you have one.