Pumpkin Pancakes with Balsamic Cream

Years ago a friend had a life transforming meal that included pumpkin ravioli in balsamic cream sauce. She gushed about it and begged me to attempt it, which I did, and it was good. Supremely good. Since then, I've made pumpkin ravioli a few times, but it is time consuming. However, I started thinking that "Winter Squash Pancakes" from Smitten Kitchen would benefit from the Balsamic Cream treatment. Yes, yes it did!

Now pancakes usually means breakfast or brunch, but don't be afraid to bring this deliciousness out for dinner, it works then as well.

I followed this recipe to a T, except that I super cheated and used pumpkin puree in a can, and that made this a super quick as well as delicious dinner. Feel free to bake up or use leftover cooked winter squash to make these pancakes; undoubtedly they will be delicious because balsamic cream sauce is king!

Pumpkin Pancakes with Balsamic Cream
(serves 3-4)

1 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 cup gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
several grinds pepper
1 cup flour (gluten free mixes work well; I use Jovial)
oil or butter for frying

Balsamic Cream
1 cup cream
2 tablespoons sour cream
2-3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (to taste)

Preheat oven to 200. Heat a skillet or stove top grill pan over medium heat. Beat eggs in bowl and add sour cream, pumpkin and gruyere and combine well. Add salt and pepper and baking powder and gently fold in flour. It will be a thick batter.

Add oil or butter to skillet and drop spoonfuls of batter on skillet, flattening them gently. Cook 3-4 minutes per side, so they brown nicely; transfer to pan in oven to fully cook since the insides will not fully cook without the outsides blackening. Repeat until batter is done.

As you are frying up pancakes, heat cream in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat, bring to low boil and reduce for 4-5 minutes. Whisk in sour cream until fully blended. Add balsamic vinegar and simmer for 4-5 minutes to meld flavors. Season with salt. Pour over pancakes and serve.

Hugs!