Buttermilk Waffles

Sidonie Gabrielle Claudine Colette once said the total absence of humor renders life impossible. So it is with waffles, but keep trying and soon your persistence will be rewarded. This is a recipe for Belgium waffles and requires a Belgian waffle maker. I find that the oiling of the waffle baker is a very important step, even when using a nonstick waffle maker. These waffles are decadent when served with boysenberry syrup, strawberries, whipped cream and confectioners’ sugar. I prefer using all-purpose flour from www.kingarthurflour.com in this recipe.

    2 large egg whites
    2 large egg yolks
    ¼ cup granulated sugar
    3 cups low-fat buttermilk
    ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1 teaspoon salt
    ½ teaspoon baking soda
    Corn or canola oil

1. Set a Belgium waffle baker on high heat.

2. In a deep medium bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks.
    Whites will have tips that stand when the beaters are lifted.

3. In a large bowl, beat the yolks and sugar. Then, add the
    buttermilk, butter and vanilla.

4. Sift in the flour, baking powder, salt and soda. Beat for 1 minute,
    then gently fold in the egg whites.

5. Brush a generous amount of oil onto the inside of the heated waffle
    baker. Ladle a ½ cup of batter into the middle corner of each
    section and then spread batter evenly.

6. Close the lid and bake for at least 6-8 minutes. If the cover on the
    waffle baker won’t lift, then cook another minute and check again. 

7. Open the lid very carefully and remove waffles. You may need to
    ease the waffles out by separating some of the baked batter from
    the sides of the  baker. If you leave the dripped batter sticking to
    the baker, the waffle may pull apart.

8. Serve with the topping of your choice. Strawberries tossed with
    boysenberry syrup makes a delicious topping. Maple syrup or
    other flavored syrups and fruit combinations also make these waffles
    delicious. When you add whipped cream, they become decadent.

    
     Variation: You may also enjoy topping these waffles with homemade
    Applesauce with Lime & Cinnamon, maple syrup and a drizzling of
    fresh cream.

    Makes 12 waffles