Ricotta and Brown Butter Pancakes with Maple-Bourbon Apricots

For the apricot-bourbon syrup:

• 3/4 cup good-quality dried California apricots (they should look plump, bright and moist), coarsely chopped
  
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (grade B or "very dark" preferred)
  
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon good-quality bourbon such as Eagle Rare
  
• 1 scant tablespoons water
  

For the pancakes:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and browned slightly in the skillet you plan to use for the pancakes (I use a "green" nonstick skillet). Scrape into a small bowl or custard dish and allow to cool slightly
  
• 1-1/2 cups less 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (sift first, measure, then remove the 2 tablespoons)
  
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar (organic preferred)
  
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 2 eggs, beaten
  
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
  
• 1 cup buttermilk
  
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (I used part-skim)
  
• Shelled, chopped pistachio nuts as a garnish, if desired
  

1. In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the syrup ingredients. Over low heat, bring to a bare simmer. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm while you prepare the pancakes. Add and stir in the scant teaspoon of water and re-heat slightly if syrup is too thick or too cool by serving time.
2. Sift together dry ingredients into a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine beaten eggs, browned butter, buttermilk, orange zest, and ricotta cheese. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
4. Heat skillet on medium to medium-high heat with a few drops of safflower or other neutral high-heat oil, until a few drops of water sprinkled into the skillet skitter and sizzle.
5. When skillet is hot, quickly combine wet and dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir swiftly but as minimally as possibly until just combined for a tender final product.
6. With a soup ladle or cooking spoon, scoop up batter and drop dollops into pan to make approximately 4 inch cakes; don't crowd pan.
7. Cook until bubbles form on top of cakes, a little less than standard pancakes (the bubble's needn't "pop" but all pancakes should have stationary bubbles). Turn one at a time with pancake turner. Brown second side (a little less time than for the first side).
8. Continue to cook cakes in batches, adding a small amount of oil as necessary, until all batter is used.
9. Serve with the warm apricot syrup. Garnish each serving with the pistachios.