Overnight Waffles
Serves 4 to 6.
From "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman.
• 1/2 tsp. instant yeast
• 2 c. flour
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 c. milk
• 8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, optional
• 2 eggs, separated
• Butter and maple syrup, for serving
Directions
The night before, whisk together yeast, flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the milk, then the butter, then the vanilla extract; the batter will be loose. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside overnight at room temperature.
When ready to bake, preheat waffle iron. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, then stir them into the batter.
In a bowl of an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg whites until they hold soft peaks. Gently stir beaten egg whites into the batter.
Cook waffles, one at a time, following directions of the waffle maker manufacturer, baking until waffles are crisp and brown outside and soft inside. Serve immediately with butter and syrup.
Plain-and-Easy Breakfast Quickies
Serves 2 to 4.
For added flavor, stir 1 cup chopped pecans into finished batter. For lighter waffles, separate the egg. Add yolk to milk as directed. Beat egg whites until stiff but still glossy, then carefully fold into batter after adding melted butter. From "Waffles From Morning to Midnight" by Dorie Greenspan.
• 1 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 c. milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• Butter and maple syrup, for serving
Directions
Preheat waffle iron.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together milk and egg, blending thoroughly. Pour milk and egg mixture over dry ingredients and mix with the whisk, stopping when ingredients are just combined. Stir in 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Cook waffles, one at a time, following directions of the waffle maker manufacturer (if batter becomes too thick upon standing, thin with a little more milk), baking until waffles are crisp and brown outside and soft inside. Serve immediately with butter and syrup.
Basic Buttermilk Waffles
Serves 4.
From "Cooking for Comfort" by Marian Burros.
• 2 c. sifted flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 3/4 c. buttermilk
• 4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• Butter and maple syrup, for serving
Directions
Preheat waffle iron.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks, then whisk in buttermilk. Add flour mixtures to buttermilk mixture and mix only to blend; do not overmix. Stir in melted butter.
In a bowl of an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg whites until stiff but still glossy. Fold stiff egg whites into batter; do not blend completely.
Cook waffles, one at a time, following directions of the waffle maker manufacturer, baking until waffles are crisp and brown outside and soft inside. Serve immediately with butter and syrup.
Georgia Bits and Grits Waffles
Serves 4 to 6.
From "American Home Cooking," by Cheryl and Bill Jamison.
• 2 c. flour
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3/4 c. stone-ground grits
• 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1 1/4 c. milk
• 6 to 8 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and baking powder and reserve.
In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Stir in salt and grits, whisking constantly until mixture comes back to a boil. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until very thick and creamy, about 30 minutes. Stir in butter until melted and scrape the grits mixture into a large bowl.
Stir in egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add flour mixture, mixing only until combined, followed by the milk. The batter should be thin. In bowl of an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg whites until stiff but still glossy. Preheat waffle iron. Stir bacon into batter and fold in stiff egg whites. Cook waffles, one at a time, following directions of the waffle maker manufacturer.
