Waffles are great for breakfast and they are very popular with their light and crispy texture, but they were not always as airy nor were they as large as they are today. In the Middle Ages waffles were thin and cracker like made of oats and barley. They were pressed in a wafer iron that had 2 plates of metal joined by a hinge and two large handles that allowed it to be closed and then opened. Waffle recipes today use a leavening agent that allows the modern waffle to rise and become thick unlike the flat crackers of yesterday
Almost every country has its own favorite waffle recipe with some variation. In America the batter is made mostly for breakfast and the waffle is leavened with baking powder. Waffles came to America with the Pilgrims in 1620 that made the famed Belgian waffles. These are also called Brussels waffles and are very large waffles that rise much higher than the American variety. Even today it is served by street vendors dusted with some powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream and chocolate.
Another type of Belgium waffle is the Leige Waffle that are much more sweet and dense. The consistency is similar to a brioche and pearl sugar is placed on them and cooked which makes the sugar caramelize and crunch when you bite into it. You can find these on the streets in Belgium in the cinnamon or plain variety as a snack. The grid cake is a waffle that comes from Hong Kong. Peanut butter is usually placed on one side with some sugar and then they are folded over to eat. Dutch waffles are separated in half when they come out of the waffle iron and a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and syrup is spread on and the two pieces are placed together. Waffles are shaped like hearts and spread with jam in Scandinavia
Waffle batter is slightly thicker than pancake batter so that it won't run out of the iron. There are several types of irons from the metal clamp down type that have to be placed over a fire or on a burner of a stove to electric waffle irons. Some waffle irons are round and separate the waffles into four sections while others might only make two sections. There are even waffle irons that make pretty patterns in the waffles or deeper ones to make Belgian Waffles. Waffles can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you please and you can make them sweet for desserts as well.
One of the best recipes for waffles is the buttermilk waffle. To make them combine one and two thirds cups of flour, one and one half teaspoon baking powder, one half teaspoon baking soda, and one fourth teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. In another bowl combine 4 large eggs and two cups of buttermilk and whisk well. Pour this over the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon. Melt two whole sticks of butter and pour into the bowl. After mixing your batter will be a bit lumpy and it should be. Continue cooking in waffle iron per manufacture's instructions. Serve warm with syrup, honey or jam.
If you have a Belgian Waffle maker that is slightly larger than a regular one make these treats for dessert. Belgian waffles take a little more work but they are worth it in the end. To make Belgian waffles tear off a large sheet of wax paper. On the wax paper you will need to sift one and one fourth cup cake flour, two teaspoons of baking powder, one fourth cup of sugar and a pinch of salt. Separate four eggs and put the four yolks in a large bowl. Set the whites aside as you will need them later. In the same bowl add one and one half cup milk and one and one half teaspoon vanilla and whisk. Stir in one half cup melted butter. Now gradually add the dry ingredients on the wax paper stirring in well. In a small bowl beat the four reserved egg whites until they become fluffy and stiff but not dry. Fold these into the batter carefully. Bake per manufacturer's instructions in a Belgian waffle maker then dust with powdered sugar and top with whipped cream and chocolate chips. You can also slice strawberries or other fruits on top.
Banana Nut Waffles are a unique treat for the family. Combine in a large bowl three fourths of a cup of flour, one tablespoon of baking powder, one fourth of a teaspoon of salt and one fourth of a cup of wheat germ. In a small bowl you will need the yolks of two eggs saving the whites to use later. Add one fourth of a cup of oil and one and one half of a cup of milk to the yolks and blend well. Pour into the flour combination and combine well. Crush 1 cup nuts in a grinder or blender or you can use pumpkin or sunflower seeds and pour into the bowl. Peel a banana that is over ripe and mash it with a fork and add with three tablespoons plain yogurt. Combine well. Take the reserved whites of the eggs and beat until stiff then fold into the batter. You can add a bit more milk if the batter seems to be over thick. Cook in a waffle iron and serve with syrup or with honey.
Waffles have come a long way since the Middle Ages. Instead of being wafer thin they are thick and fluffy and can be served with just about anything from syrup to chocolate. Some waffle recipes even include savory suggestions like serving waffles with chicken. In many countries they are still sold by street vendors as they were in the fourteenth century and you can find them in just about every restaurant. They are easy to make and your family will love them for meals and as a delectable dessert.
Almost every country has its own favorite waffle recipe with some variation. In America the batter is made mostly for breakfast and the waffle is leavened with baking powder. Waffles came to America with the Pilgrims in 1620 that made the famed Belgian waffles. These are also called Brussels waffles and are very large waffles that rise much higher than the American variety. Even today it is served by street vendors dusted with some powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream and chocolate.
Another type of Belgium waffle is the Leige Waffle that are much more sweet and dense. The consistency is similar to a brioche and pearl sugar is placed on them and cooked which makes the sugar caramelize and crunch when you bite into it. You can find these on the streets in Belgium in the cinnamon or plain variety as a snack. The grid cake is a waffle that comes from Hong Kong. Peanut butter is usually placed on one side with some sugar and then they are folded over to eat. Dutch waffles are separated in half when they come out of the waffle iron and a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and syrup is spread on and the two pieces are placed together. Waffles are shaped like hearts and spread with jam in Scandinavia
Waffle batter is slightly thicker than pancake batter so that it won't run out of the iron. There are several types of irons from the metal clamp down type that have to be placed over a fire or on a burner of a stove to electric waffle irons. Some waffle irons are round and separate the waffles into four sections while others might only make two sections. There are even waffle irons that make pretty patterns in the waffles or deeper ones to make Belgian Waffles. Waffles can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you please and you can make them sweet for desserts as well.
One of the best recipes for waffles is the buttermilk waffle. To make them combine one and two thirds cups of flour, one and one half teaspoon baking powder, one half teaspoon baking soda, and one fourth teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. In another bowl combine 4 large eggs and two cups of buttermilk and whisk well. Pour this over the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon. Melt two whole sticks of butter and pour into the bowl. After mixing your batter will be a bit lumpy and it should be. Continue cooking in waffle iron per manufacture's instructions. Serve warm with syrup, honey or jam.
If you have a Belgian Waffle maker that is slightly larger than a regular one make these treats for dessert. Belgian waffles take a little more work but they are worth it in the end. To make Belgian waffles tear off a large sheet of wax paper. On the wax paper you will need to sift one and one fourth cup cake flour, two teaspoons of baking powder, one fourth cup of sugar and a pinch of salt. Separate four eggs and put the four yolks in a large bowl. Set the whites aside as you will need them later. In the same bowl add one and one half cup milk and one and one half teaspoon vanilla and whisk. Stir in one half cup melted butter. Now gradually add the dry ingredients on the wax paper stirring in well. In a small bowl beat the four reserved egg whites until they become fluffy and stiff but not dry. Fold these into the batter carefully. Bake per manufacturer's instructions in a Belgian waffle maker then dust with powdered sugar and top with whipped cream and chocolate chips. You can also slice strawberries or other fruits on top.
Banana Nut Waffles are a unique treat for the family. Combine in a large bowl three fourths of a cup of flour, one tablespoon of baking powder, one fourth of a teaspoon of salt and one fourth of a cup of wheat germ. In a small bowl you will need the yolks of two eggs saving the whites to use later. Add one fourth of a cup of oil and one and one half of a cup of milk to the yolks and blend well. Pour into the flour combination and combine well. Crush 1 cup nuts in a grinder or blender or you can use pumpkin or sunflower seeds and pour into the bowl. Peel a banana that is over ripe and mash it with a fork and add with three tablespoons plain yogurt. Combine well. Take the reserved whites of the eggs and beat until stiff then fold into the batter. You can add a bit more milk if the batter seems to be over thick. Cook in a waffle iron and serve with syrup or with honey.
Waffles have come a long way since the Middle Ages. Instead of being wafer thin they are thick and fluffy and can be served with just about anything from syrup to chocolate. Some waffle recipes even include savory suggestions like serving waffles with chicken. In many countries they are still sold by street vendors as they were in the fourteenth century and you can find them in just about every restaurant. They are easy to make and your family will love them for meals and as a delectable dessert.
About the Author:
You can find your next deliciouswaffle recipe on Ben Cooks website dedicated to waffles. If you want to know how to make waffles his site is the place to check.
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