Totoro's Berry Pancakes

Serves 4 · 15 min prep · 20 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 3/4 cup fresh raspberries
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter for the pan
• 2 tbsp edible violet petals or microgreens

Instructions

1. 1In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, sea salt, and sugar until the dry mix looks evenly pale and fluffy.
2. 2In a separate pitcher stir the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until the egg is fully broken and the liquid turns a soft creamy yellow.
3. 3Pour the wet mixture into the dry bowl and fold gently with a spatula just until no dry streaks remain; a few small lumps are welcome so the pancakes stay tender.
4. 4Let the batter rest on the counter for five minutes while you warm a 12-inch nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles and dances.
5. 5Melt a thin film of butter across the hot surface, then ladle scant half-cup portions of batter, spacing them so they can spread into soft circles.
6. 6Scatter blueberries and raspberries over each pancake while the tops are still wet so the berries sink slightly into the batter.
7. 7Cook until the edges look set and matte and bubbles break across the surface, two to three minutes, then flip carefully and cook the second side until golden and springy, another one to two minutes.
8. 8Transfer finished pancakes to a warm plate and keep them loosely tented while you repeat with remaining batter, adding a little more butter between batches.
9. 9In a small saucepan combine the leftover berries with the honey and lemon zest; warm over low heat just until the fruit softens and releases a glossy pastel syrup, three minutes.
10. 10Stack two pancakes per plate, spoon the warm berry drizzle over the tops so it pools in soft pink and violet rivulets, and finish with a scatter of edible violet petals for a meadow-morning glow.