ORANGE RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH CARAMELIZED FIG AND PISTACHIO COMPOTE

Steps:

• Cook's Note: If you can't find fresh ricotta cheese, use the carton variety and strain through a fine mesh strainer for 1 hour before using.
• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Combine the ricotta, milk, egg yolks, vanilla and zest in a separate bowl and whisk until smooth.
• Beat the egg whites in an electric mixer until stiff. Add the dry ingredients to the ricotta and milk, stirring gently until just combined. Whisk in a small amount of the egg whites to lighten the batter, then fold in the remaining whites.
• Heat a cast-iron griddle or large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat and brush the surface with butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon a scant 1/3 cup of the batter onto the pan and cook the pancakes for 3 or 4 minutes. Flip, cooking until both sides are golden brown. Stack the pancakes and serve topped with the Fig and Pistachio Compote. Dust with confectioners' sugar and garnish with mint sprigs.
• Add the figs, butter, honey, brown sugar, pistachios, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a cast-iron skillet set over high heat. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the syrup begins to bubble and the figs just soften. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly.;