Waffling Around
I love to cook, but I don’t like to heat up my kitchen on hot days. Inspired by a friend, (thanks, Kevin), I decided to start using my waffle iron to do some of my cooking. It was a fun experiment. With another hot week ahead, I am sure I will be cooking in my waffle iron again.
I started by making potato pancakes in my waffle iron. They worked great. Crispy on the edges, tender in the middle. After that I made cornbread, sweet potato waffles, a cheesy omelet and zucchini waffles. All were simple to make, ready in minutes and kept the kitchen a lot cooler than other cooking options. The experiment with brownies was not so successful.
Below are the recipes I used that worked. Cooking times and how many waffles vary with the waffle maker you are using. I used an inexpensive waffle maker I have had for years. Generally, once the steam stops coming out, or lessens, it is a sign your waffle is ready. Don’t peak too often. Some are harder to remove from the waffle iron than others. The sweet potato waffles were tricky, but I got them out. Be gentle and have a plate ready to slide them onto.
Sweet Potato Waffles
2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and shredded- you want to end up with 3-4 cups of shredded sweet potatoes- 1 medium /large one would also work
2 eggs
½ c. panko bread crumbs
1 T. parsley flakes
1 t. hot pepper sauce, or to taste
½ t. garlic powder
½ t. onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for coating the waffle iron
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until well mixed. Brush oil all over waffle iron- you can also use non-stick spray. Make sure to heat up waffle iron before adding batter. Spoon batter into waffle iron, filling almost full. Close iron and cook until waffles are golden brown. Make sure they are golden brown and crispy. Remove carefully. Repeat with remaining batter. Makes 4-5
Zucchini Waffles
2 c. shredded zucchini
1 medium onion, diced
2 eggs
1/2 c. flour- you made need a little more or less depending on how wet the zucchini is
2 t. hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 t. baking soda
salt to taste
oil for coating the iron
Combine all ingredients, except the oil, in a medium bowl. Brush oil all over waffle iron- you can also use non-stick spray. Make sure to heat up waffle iron before adding batter. Spoon batter into waffle iron, filling almost full. Close iron and cook until waffles are golden brown. Make sure they are golden brown and crispy. Remove carefully. Repeat with remaining batter. Remove to platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with salsa or sour cream. Makes 6-8.
Cornbread Waffles
1 c. cornmeal
1 c. flour
2 T. sugar, optional
4 t. baking powder
¾ t. salt
2 eggs
1 c. half and half
¼ c. oil- or melted butter or bacon fat
½ c. chopped sweet peppers, optional
¼ c, chopped green onion, optional
Extra oil to coat waffle iron
Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl, and set aside. In small bowl, combine eggs, half and half and oil and beat until smooth. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients, stirring until combined. Don’t over-mix. Make sure to heat up waffle iron before adding batter. Pour some of the batter into well oiled waffle iron. Close iron and cook until waffles are golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter. Remove to platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter. Makes about 4.
Potato Waffles
1 1/2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and grated
1/4 c. flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg, beaten
oil for frying
When grating potatoes place them in a bowl of ice water to hold their color. Drain and squeeze out all the water you can. Place in a bowl and mix in remaining ingredients. Brush oil all over waffle iron- you can also use non-stick spray. Make sure to heat up waffle iron before adding batter. Spoon batter into waffle iron, filling almost full. Close iron and cook until waffles are golden brown. Make sure they are golden brown and crispy. Remove carefully. Repeat with remaining batter. Remove to platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with sour cream. Makes 6-8.
Cheese Omelet Waffles
2-3 eggs
2 T. milk or water
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash of hot sauce
2-3 T. Fine chopped sweet pepper, optional
2-3 T. green onion, minced, optional
½ c. shredded cheese
Oil for the waffle iron
Beat eggs until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Brush oil all over waffle iron- you can also use non-stick spray. Make sure to heat up waffle iron before adding egg mixture. Spoon eggs into waffle iron, filling almost full. Close iron and cook until eggs are set. Fold one waffle over the other to create a stacked waffle. Remove carefully to platter. Makes 1.
