Waffles

Winter is about getting cozy, snuggling with your loved ones, spouse, partner, kids or dog, your choice ….  and sharing some simple, tasty comfort food. Well then waffles are a great choice for a weekend breakfast or a lazy Sunday brunch topped with honey, maple syrup, banana, toasted nuts….. the options are endless.

Serves – 2      

Prep Time – 20 mins        Resting time – 1 hr           Cooking time  – 45 mins

Ingredients

• Flour (Maida) – 1 cup
• Eggs – 2 (separated)
• Milk – 125 ml
• Cream – 125 ml
• Dry yeast – 1/2 tbsp
• Sugar – 1/2 tsp
• Melted butter – 150g
• Salt – 1/4 tsp (omit if using salted butter)

Method 

1. Take yeast in a bowl along with the sugar and add some warm milk and let it stand for a couple of minutes.
2. Sieve the flour and add salt.
3. Check if the yeast-sugar-milk mix is bubbling, which indicates that the yeast is active.
4. Separate the egg yolks and white.
5. Ensure that the vessel in which you put the egg whites is completely dry. Egg whites will not froth if there is any moisture in the vessel or the whisk.
6. Beat the egg yolks lightly.
7. Add the melted butter and whisk.
8. Add half of the milk and while whisking add the flour little by little avoiding any lumps.
9. Whisk in the yeast-sugar-milk mix.
10. Add the rest of the milk and cream.
11. Whisk to a smooth batter.
12. Beat the egg white to soft peaks.
13. Fold in the egg whites into the batter with a very light hand.
14. Cover and leave it in a warm place for the batter to rise.
15. Check after about 50 mins. The batter should have risen and when you mix it, you should be able to see a fluffy aerated batter.
16. Switch on a waffle maker. I use a Russell and Hobbs sandwich toaster which comes with waffle plates.
17. Mix the batter and pour 1 small ladle or a little more depending on the size of the waffle plate.
18. Gently spread the batter to cover the full plate and close.
19. When the pilot lamp on the waffle maker indicates that it is done. Open and see if it is golden brown.
20. If you want it to crisp up a bit, leave it in the waffle maker for a couple of extra minutes.
21. Serve hot with a topping of your choice.
22. Classic toppings are honey, banana, maple syrup, praline nuts ( caramel crusted almonds and walnuts ) and ice cream (in summers).
23. My daughter likes a savoury topping so she puts a dollop of cheese spread with a sprinkling of paprika and oregano.
24. If you have some batter left over use it within the next 6-8 hrs. Keep it refrigerated.

 

Tip : In the yeast-sugar mix add lukewarm milk. Hot milk will kill the yeast and cold milk will keep the yeast inactive. If after 5 mins the yeast-sugar-milk mix is not bubbling then either the milk was not at the correct temperature or the yeast is dead.