International Waffle Day
March 25th is International Waffle Day. It is known as Våffeldagen in Sweden, which is where the holiday originated. March 25th is considered the start of spring in Sweden and Europe and is the Feast of the Annunciation, (Lady Day). It became a custom for Swedish families to celebrate the two holidays by making waffles on this day.
What is SO great about waffles?
The original waffle dates back to Greece in the 1300’s. The Greeks cooked flat cakes between two metal pans and topped them with herbs and cheeses. What was good then, is still good today. If you like a crispy grilled cheese, try making it in your waffle iron instead of a grill. Butter two slices of bread on one side. Place the first slice, buttered side down, in a preheated waffle maker. Lay a couple of slices of thinly sliced cheddar cheese and one thin slice of prosciutto on top of the bread and top with second slice of bread, (buttered side up). Close the lid of the waffle maker and allow to cook for 3-5 minutes until the bread is toasty and the cheese has melted.
Try baking brownies in your waffle maker and then use these delicious, crispy fudgy ‘waffles’ for a foundation for your next hot fudge sundae or banana split. Just butter the waffle iron and fill about three-quarters of the way full with your brownie batter. (Some waffle iron should still be showing). Close and cook until the waffles are cooked through, 4-6 minutes.
Try baking banana bread or your favorite muffins in your waffle iron. Just make up your favorite banana bread or muffin recipe and fill your waffle maker about 2/3 full of the batter. Gently close the lid and allow to bake until cooked through and crispy. (Just remember to butter the waffle iron well between each ‘waffle’.)
More WAFFLE Ideas
Hankering For Healthy & Waffling For Waffles
Equipment
- Waffle maker
Ingredients
- 2 cups buttermilk
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅔ cup whole-wheat flour
- ⅔ cup all-purpose unbleached flour
- ¼ cup wheat germ
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg freshly grated, if possible
- 2 ex-large eggs, room temperature lightly beaten
- ¼ cup light brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place oats in a medium sized bowl and stir in buttermilk. Allow to stand for 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together remaining dry ingredients. Add melted coconut oil and mix until well incorporated into the dry ingredients.
- Add eggs, sugar, and vanilla to the oat mixture and then add to large bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until just moistened.
- Spray a waffle iron with cooking spray and preheat. Spoon approximately 2/3 cup onto preheated waffle iron and cook until waffles are crisp and golden.Repeat with remaining batter and serve with your favorite toppings.
Favorite Fabulous Fluffy Waffles
Equipment
- Waffle Iron(s)
Ingredients
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4-6 eggs depending on size (I use 4 jumbo)
- 1¾ cup whole milk
- 6 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Sift dry ingredients into a large bowlIn a small bow, beat egg whites until stiffBeat egg yolks in a batter bowlAdd milk and oil to the beaten egg yolksAdd dry ingredients to the liquidFold in beaten egg whites, being careful not to deflate
- Bake and serve with desired toppings
Macaroni and Cheese Waffles!
So breakfast waffles aren’t your thing? No problem! Here is a recipe that I can definitely get behind by J. Kenji López-Alt, author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science. Pasta, lots of cheesey deliciousness and an intoxicating crunch!
IDEA: Why stop there? If you really want to get into the spirit of things, top these with: seasoned taco meat or shredded chicken, peppers, onions, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, anything you like. YUM!
