Waffles

Its freezing in Delhi and the wedding season has been chaotic. Despite me missing a few, I have been so caught up with the family stuff, that this post which has been long overdue is extremely late. Communicooking has been showered with some wonderful gifts, as a part of the anniversary- can now be found on www.communicooking.com! (more details on other related gifts later)

             A part of the ‘1 year gifts’ was the much appreciated Waffle-maker. Waffles for me- are more than just comfort food. Initially started off as a luxury during my college years and later when I was in London, over a period of time, I discovered the versatility of the waffle and the ease with which it adapts itself to a meal at any time of the day- breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Waffles are almost staple food in Belgium, and I have fond memories of a Belgian friend bringing me authentic chocolate waffles. That used be luxury- in student days! Another favorite has been the Waffles with Belgian chocolate ice-cream and maple syrup @ Big chill- with warm memories attached. In due course of time, I discovered that it was so much simpler to just have a waffle-maker at home, in order to enjoy the waffle more frequently. The gift was hence; just perfect- and no words will describe the appropriateness.

           Waffles can be had as a savory snack or for dessert. The best part is that even after baking them, once can store and use them for days to come. I have often heard about freezing waffles, but have never tried freezing them personally. The best way to enjoy a waffle though, is to eat a warm waffle with cold ice-cream and maple syrup. Someone once said that “A waffle is like a pancake with a syrup trap”- nothing in this world would compare to a hot waffle with maple syrup.

For the Waffles, (recipe adapted)

1 3/4 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

3 eggs

7 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups milk

½ teaspoon vanilla essence

An alternate recipe that I have discovered is mildly adapted from here: (Martha Stewart)

1 3/4 cup flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon sugar

2 large eggs, separated

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 3/4 cup milk

½ teaspoon vanilla essence
Butter to serve

Preheat the waffle iron. Sift the dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl. Separate the eggs, putting the egg whites in smaller bowl. Beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Add the egg yolks, oil and milk all at one time to the dry ingredients. Beat until there are no lumps in the batter. Fold the egg whites into the other batter using a spatula or other flat utensil. Put about 3 tablespoons full of batter in the waffle iron or as appropriate.

We had the waffles for dinner and dessert- Yes, I like waffles that much!

Dinner Waffles were served with eggs and Ham, while dessert waffles were served with strawberries and cookies and cream ice-cream!