I'm making waffles: They're more versatile than you'd think
Waffles have long been at the top of my personal food chain as one of the most versatile bases for both savory and sweet entrees.
At local fairs you can get waffles served with ice cream. At home you can make decadent and creative waffle sandwiches.
But first, I find it fitting to supply two of my favorite batters - one for savory, and one for sweet - that I've found to be a hit for any occasion, and any time of day.
Today, I am also excited to share two of my mother’s favorite recipes - one sweet and one savory - for you to try in your home kitchens. The savory one is a bit of a twist using refrigerated biscuits. They vary from the two basic, aforementioned recipes, but I find them to be a delightful change.
I love waffles, and the versatility in making many flavor combinations and delectable tastes. Are they healthy? Well, not totally. But keep in mind the following from ASweetPeaChef.com to make them less unhealthy:
Avoid frozen waffles
Pick fresh fruits as toppings
Use unprocessed flours
Go easy on the sweeteners, and
Work with high-benefit, healthier oils
Making wise food choices keeps us both healthy and totally in line with our food goals.
So Happy Waffling!
And with this I could not agree more.
Jacqueline Iannazzo-Corser is a contributing writer to The Monroe News, writing about food and recipes. She is a chef, co-owner of Public House, Culinary Specialist at the Opportunity Center at the Arthur Lesow Community Center, and an adjunct professor of culinary arts at Monroe County Community College. She can be reached at jcorser@monroeccc.edu.
Basic Sweet Waffles
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups of flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 whole eggs beaten
1 1/2 cups cold milk
1/4 cup melted Butter
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Create well in the center.
Place dry ingredients into the well. The milk, melted butter, vanilla, and eggs.
Whisk to incorporate and create a batter. If it seems too thick, add in an extra splash of milk. You want your waffle batter to be the consistency of white school glue.
Preheat Belgian waffle maker.
Spray the waffle maker with butter and pour in about 1/2 cup batter into the center. Cook according to the appliance directions.
Note: If needed pour additional milk into batter it should not be runny, it should be gummier like paste. Place any number of fruits on top with yogurt or whipped cream
Basic Savory Waffles
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients:
2 cup milk
4 eggs
½ cup unsalted butter melted
2.5 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to a medium bowl - combine.
Add the milk, butter, and eggs.
Add in the ingredients and spices for the flavor you're creating whisk to combine.
Preheat Belgian waffle maker.
Spray the waffle maker with butter and pour in about 1/2 cup batter into the center. Cook according to the appliance directions.
Note: If you’re looking for different flours aside from all-purpose try whole wheat, multi blend, cake flour, or pastry flour. But consistency will vary. Add any number of savory items on top or within the batter like bacon, ham, loose sausage, or ham.
Savory Biscuit Waffles
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced red, yellow, or green bell pepper
1/4 cup diced green Onions
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Select Herbs for Taste
1 Medium tomato cut in small pieces
1 (16-ounce) tube Store refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
8 slices or sprinkle cheddar cheese or choice
Vanilla Yogurt
Directions:
Preheat a waffle iron to medium-high heat.
Spray the waffle maker according to the appliance directions
In a skillet add olive oil over ow to medium.
Add peppers and onions then cook for 4 minutes, stir until tender.
Add beaten eggs to the skillet and cook, whisking. Continue cooking until thickened, add salt and pepper to taste.
Set aside with lid
Separate biscuits into 8, cutting each biscuit in half lengthwise to create 16 pieces.
Place biscuit halves into the waffle iron until cooked.
Presentation:
Take two quarter pieces of waffles to form a sandwich.
Place Selected cheese, eggs, peppers, onion, and herbs on one side and when completed top with an additional waffle on top to form a sandwich.
Serve with Vanilla or selected yogurt for side dipping.
Note: You can use any dipping sauce for your savory waffle. Serve with fruit cup if desired.
Sweet Potato Waffles
Serves 5 to 7
Ingredients:
1 cup of mashed sweet potato – Cooked ahead
1/2 cup almond butter
1 tbsp. coconut flour
3 eggs separate yolks and whites
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. pumpkin spice
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tbsp. maple syrup (optional)
Coconut oil (optional)
Directions:
Preheat your waffle maker and apply coconut oil to each batch.
Separate the egg’s, yolks and whites.
Place egg whites in a small bowl and set aside.
Add just the egg yolks to a large mixing bowl
Add all remaining ingredients above (except the egg whites) to the large mixing bowl.
Blend at low speed with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes, or mix well by hand. The batter should be somewhat thick.
In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with electric mixer until stiff peaks form
Now gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a spatula
Spoon batter into the waffle maker and cook until golden
Topping with fresh fruit, maple syrup or other selection as desired.
Note: Any neutral flavor, vegetable oil is most similar to coconut oil because it's plant-based and often doesn't change the way the recipe tastes. For example, you can use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, and sunflower oil.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Waffles are more more versatile than you'd think
