Breaking in my new Waffle Maker

Ann, your waffles look delicious. I hope you have fun playing with your new toy. :)

I was gifted a Cuisinart waffle iron for Christmas last year, and have been experimenting with recipes all year long. Multi-grain, buckwheat, wholewheat, buttermilk, with/without yeast. I haven't yet settled on a favorite.

I usually make a double-batch and freeze them so DS can pop them in the toaster when he likes.

I'll never forget the time DS had a friend sleepover, and in the morning he stared wide-eyed as I poured the batter in the waffle iron...

"You *make* waffles?" he said, "I've only had them from a box!"

Welcome to the waffle club..... :-)

Waffles in the freezer (or freshly baked) come in handy from "morning until midnight". I got that from the title of a really great waffle cookbook - "Waffles From Morning to Midnight" by Dorie Greenspan. It's too bad we don't take advantage of them for more meals than just breakfast because they are so simple and economical. Friday night is generally a meatless meal for us, and waffles often show up on the menu because there are so many ways to prepare them, and so many ways to top them.

How about Scallion Waffles with Sesame Chicken Salad for lunch or a light dinner. Or, Mustard Waffles with Egg Salad (both recipes from the cookbook mentioned above).

I made two batches of (gluten-free) Sprouted Lentil-Oat Waffles last week, destined for the freezer. I like them with nut butter and banana slices on them (hubby calls them Elvis Waffles).

I probably use my thin (4-Hearts) waffle maker more than the Belgian waffle maker, but the Belgian waffle maker is a great appliance to use for "French Toast Waffles" - yep, using bread.

-Grainlady

I have the 4-hearts waffle iron as well. May have to pull it out for dinner tonight now. Waffles of Insane Greatness is our favorite recipe.

I use the Waffles of Insane Greatness recipe too but mine sure don't look like yours!! Oh, it must be the waffle makers fault or more likely the waffle maker's fault. LOL

I suspect that all modern non-stick waffle makers are essentially the same. I have a regular Sunbeam and a Kitchen Gourmet belgan unit and I have used a couple others and they all made perfect non stick waffles from first to last.

I have been playing with my waffle maker a lot lately, I made corn dogs and had batter leftover. I put batter in the WM added sliced hotdogs into the batter so like fried cornbread. I was Hungary for corn fritters so made them into waffles as I did not have oil for the deep fryer. My next ones I am going to try are a chocolate brownie cookie, they might be good with ice cream for dessert. Have fun with your new toy. Patty

This post was edited by PattyPeterson2208 on Thu, Apr 25, 13 at 17:52

Cathy, it is definitely the waffle makers fault, not yours. From my research it is obvious that not all waffle makers are created equal.

Chas, after reading just about every review online, on the available waffle makers I would disagree with you. There are many that apparently bake a perfectly good waffle from first to last, but there are many that don't. And many that claim to be non-stick apparently are far from it. As Sue mentioned from her experience in the other thread.

Patty, I think the next time I will make a savory waffle with sage and maybe thyme or rosemary and serve it with oven fried chicken and cream gravy. Once you leave out the sugar and vanilla a waffle tastes like a Yorkshire Pudding. Same basic ingredients.

~Ann

Looks great, Ann. Your description of the thickness (I think on the other thread) might just solve my dilemma of Belgian vs regular.

I use the WoIG recipe, too, and they are great but I hate pouring in all that oil.

And yes, I believe the waffle iron itself must make a difference. Mine don't come out nearly as evenly baked. I'm ready for an upgrade. I always had round in mind, but now I'm questioning that, too.

The waffles look great! My favorite is a recipe from the manual of the Cuisinart round waffle maker I don't use any longer. It includes cornmeal and comes out light and a bit crunchy. I definitely think adding some chives and herbs would be great. I also like the whole wheat recipe from the King Arthur Flour website.

Yup, joanm first posted that recipe. DH and I have it down pat and memorized, it is our standard waffle breakfast.

Enjoy those waffles Ann, just don't make blue ones (FOAS don't google that, really)

For a sweet waffle or pancake, I like it as part of a breakfast (or any time of day meal) with eggs, potatoes, meat, etc. Somehow the sweetness offsets, or more appropriately compliments the saltiness of bacon and eggs but I don't like getting a big stack. Maybe a couple small pancakes or part of a waffle is fine especially since I still like toast with eggs. One of the things I like about going to Country Kitchen. I order their big breakfast and get half sausage, half bacon and then get half pancakes and half toast. Makes for a great breakfast and I do have it at any time of day.

Grainlady, that chicken salad with waffle sounds great. I've become a fan of chicken salad wraps lately but a waffle would be a nice compliment to it too.

Since discovering yeasted waffles, I haven't made any other. The recipe is from a blog, but I don't remember who the blogger is. She describes them as "the easiest, crispiest waffle" and that is exactly what they are. I like having the batter in the fridge, ready to make waffles when I get up.

Cheryl

The Easiest Crispiest Yeasted Waffles

Ingredients
2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp instant yeast
1 stick melted butter (1/2 cup or 110 grams)
2 cups warm milk (heated to about 110 degrees)
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

The night before:
1. Combine and whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, yeast, sugar and salt.
2. Combine the melted butter and milk. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients.
3. Whisk eggs and vanilla together in a separate small bowl. Add the egg-vanilla mixture to the other mixture, and whisk until well-combined.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and stick in the fridge until tomorrow morning. (The batter can rise for 10 to 24 hours.)

The next morning:
1. Prepare waffle iron as usual. Stir the batter to deflate it (it should be puffy and frothy).
2. Add to waffle iron the same way you would other batter, keeping in mind that this batter will rise more than batters that use baking powder instead of yeast.

Ann T, those look delicious. I think waffles for breakfast sounds really good. Or for supper, but unfortunately, it's 10:30 pm here, probably not tonight.

I like both sweet waffles and savory waffles, depending on my mood. Elery's favorite is a waffle made from my cornbread batter, with the addition of a handful of shredded cheese and some chopped ham or crumbled cooked bacon, and as I mentioned on the other thread, cornmeal waffles are really good as a base for chili too.

Now, I'll cover a cornmeal waffle with butter and maple syrup as quickly as I will a plain waffle but Elery likes them plain.

The kids also like chocolate waffles as a dessert, with a scoop of ice cream on the still warm waffle and a drizzle of hot fudge or caramel, or in place of the shortcake for a strawberry shortcake kind of dessert.

I like to use fresh herbs and scallions or chives in herb waffles and top them with beef stew or chicken a la king, but no syrup.

I think someone here also put some leftover Thanksgiving Day stuffing into a waffle iron and reheated it, to be served with leftover turkey and gravy. I haven't tried that.....yet.

Cynic, I used to always order toast and pancakes with eggs, I wanted the pancakes separately with syrup and toast to dunk into the soft egg yolk. Now I've taken to doing as Dad and Grandpa did and just put my eggs between two pancakes in lieu of toast, I just can't eat toast AND pancakes and no place here will give me half orders of toast and pancakes. (sigh)

Annie

This post was edited by annie1992 on Thu, Apr 25, 13 at 22:40

Cheryl, I'm going to try your yeast recipe next time. I bought a waffle maker for my husband for Christmas. Not because he cooks but because he always orders them when we go out. He and my SIL really like the Insane Greatness recipe but it is always good to try new things. Thanks for posting.

By the way, mine never look like Ann's either.

Wow! Picture perfect AND delicious, I betcha, too!

Thanks for sharing and inspiring, AnnT !

Smiles,
Sooz

Ann, I can understand why you had trouble deciding what to top the waffles with, they all look great.

It looks like your waffle maker is the kind that can be flipped. That seems to be a much more common feature these days and it's something wish mine did... congrats on getting a new toy :o)

As have been said by everyone, perfect waffles.

Bobby, I am not sure the M850 waffle maker can be flipped. The fact that it can have waffles made in less than 2 minutes and quick heat recovery may mean the heating elements are attached to the plates.

I don't know for sure, I don't have one.

dcarch

Annie, I love cornbread so I find the idea of a waffle made with cornmeal very appealing.

Bobby, Dcarch is correct. It bakes on both sides without flipping. Actually I don't think I have ever seen a waffle machine that flips that hasn't made round waffles.

Cheryl, thank you for sharing your recipe. I know that I want to try a yeast based waffle and now I won't have to look for a recipe.

~Ann

Ann your waffles look wonderful!
I'm not much of a pancake person, but I do like my waffles.
I love using savory waffles for eggs benedict.

Ann, it looked like the control box off to the side was a pivot point.. to me anyway :o) But I'm glad to know the truth. I looked for a square waffle iron that flips, and you are right... all the ones that flip are round!

Have you figured out how much batter to put in so you don't get it cascading down the counter every time you close the iron? I've had my cheapo T-fal waffle iron/sandwich maker for years and I still can't use it without standing in a puddle of batter. Mine takes about 8 minutes to make 2 waffles, so I should look into the one you bought.

Bobby, we have the single waffle Waring-Pro Belgium WM that flips. It's easy to measure the batter without overfilling because it came with a measuring cup. :) I have no idea how long it takes to make a waffle though - never timed it. But, it is round. Works for us. Never sticks and waffles are not under done in the center. Still, better than a puddle of batter on the floor. Been there, done that. :)

Anne, the waffles look scrumptious as is but all the discussion of savory sounds very good. I make the cornmeal ones in various incarnations but never thought about using them as a base for chicken dishes. Am going to try that soon. Great alternative to rice/potatoes that get too predictable. I'm also wondering if corn waffles with a thicker posole might work? Or, chili verde thickened a bit? Maybe cornstarch rather than roux? Better still, thicken with a couple torn corn tortillas.

I posted my recipe for yeast raised pumpkin pancakes a few years ago in a pancake discussion and I use that batter for waffles also in the fall. We are still in mucho disarray down at that level of detail but I'll try to find it. It's not digitized, I'm pretty sure. I can remember in my mind seeing a piece of paper with my hand scribbled notes with the ink smeared from various batters.

/tricia

I hope a few here get on a savory waffle kick and give me ideas. I think that would go over well in my house.

Bobby, I've got the same issue. I have yet to put the right amount in my iron. Ever. So I set it in a sheet pan to contain the inevitable spills.

In my four grid regular waffle iron, I have decided that one big irregular round waffle is better than cleaning the drips. It all tastes the same!
With the Belgian waffle iron, drips are never an issue and I can always get the finished product perfect.

This post was edited by Bumblebeez on Sat, Apr 27, 13 at 3:48

I have an old toastmaster waffle iron. Makes one round waffle at a time. Worth the wait. We have waffles often as my husband makes breakfast for our 17 year old grand daughter. Nice to see different recipes and toppings. We usually do the standard of butter and maple syrup. She loves chocolate chip pancakes too.

These are really good. I leave out the sugar and add more cheese.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/bacon_cheddar_cornmeal_waffles.php#.UXrod-YIw5I.email

Not all flip type waffle makers make round waffles. The one Deb gifted me with makes square waffles and it flips. It's a Krups. It does take longer than two minutes to make waffles, but not much longer, maybe 3 or 4.

These were cornmeal waffles served with fried green tomatoes and eggs. Not as perfect as Ann T's, but square and I tend to like them very crunchy so they are that dark on purpose.

Annie

They look perfect to me Annie. Have you posted the recipe for your cornmeal waffle? Or do I just sub some cornmeal for some of the flour in whatever recipe I use?

Ann

Good to know, Annie. I think the flipping thing is just so that the batter fills all the nooks and crannies, but if you fill the iron properly it isn't necessary. Your waffles look good too!

I'm glad I'm not the only one to have the problem with an overflowing waffle iron. I prefer round waffles, so I'd gladly trade my square T-fal for a round machine that flipped if I made waffles enough to justify it... which I would if I didn't have such a mess every time. The tip about putting the waffle iron on a cookie sheet is a good idea.... maybe I can finally make some waffles without putting on rain boots first.

I had to start timing the waffles because I opened the iron before they were done one too many times and that is a disaster. Now, I set the kitchen timer for 8 minutes and go sit down until it beeps... if I stay in the kitchen, it's too tempting to open the thing prematurely.

Ann, I can vouch for the yeast waffle recipe. I went to a vacuum cleaner collectors house for a small gathering a few years ago and that was the first time I'd had waffles made from a yeast recipe. They were so good, I asked for the recipe. He used a vintage waffle iron and the holes were much smaller than on new waffle irons, but they were sooooooo good! The recipe he shared with me is virtually identical to Cheryl's, minus the vanilla. The problem I have is that you have to do it the night before and I'm awful and preparing things in advance... if a waffle craving hits, I need instant gratification.

Ann, do the plates on your waffle iron detach for easy cleaning?

Yeast Waffles
In a measuring cup combine 1/2 cup warm water and 1 pkg. regular dry yeast and 1 TBSP sugar. Not rapid rise. Let set about 5 min. till it foams a bit.

In a large bowl combine
2 cups of flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups warm milk
2 eggs

Mix on med. speed until just blended. Cover and set in the frig over night. Remove batter 45 min. before baking and give it one quick stir. Do not stir again. Bake as usual.

I didn't even know people made savory waffles... what a neat idea. I made fried chicken and waffles years ago and shared the experience here... it was really good.

Ann T, I use this recipe from King Arthur sometimes and sometimes I just make corn muffins and use some of the batter for waffles. These are nice, though, and the seasonings are optional, so they can be left out if you're wanting breakfast. Or not, if you're having huevos rancheros...

Crunchy Cornmeal Waffles
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
5 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled OR 1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives; if using dry, use 3 tablespoons (optional)
2 to 3 teaspoons ground cumin (optional)
1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper, or 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)
3 tablespoons dried tomato or bell pepper flakes (optional)

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs and melted butter or oil. In a separate bowl, blend together the dry ingredients, then quickly and gently combine the wet and dry ingredients. Let the batter sit for 10 minutes, to allow the cornmeal to soften. Drop the batter by 1/3-cupfuls onto a hot waffle iron, and bake until the waffle iron stops steaming. Yield: about ten 8-inch round waffles.

I've leftout the seasonings and added fresh corn kernels and cheese, I've used ham and cheese, or cheese and jalapenos with the seasonings. They're good as a side with soup instead of bread too. Not better than YOUR bread, of course, but a nice change sometimes. They crisp up nicely in the toaster and freeze well.

Have fun with that new toy!

Annie

Bobby, no the plates do not come off. But that isn't a problem with this particular waffle maker. One of the major pros for this machine was how easy it is to maintain. You don't have to oil and nothing seems to stick.
Thanks for your recipe.

I remember when you made the fried chicken with waffles. Great picture. I like the idea of the chicken with waffles but not with syrup. I don't like sweet sauce on my chicken. But I like the idea of a savory waffle with fried chicken and gravy.

Thanks Annie. Will definitely give cornmeal waffles a try soon.

~Ann

Thanks for the cornmeal waffle recipe, Annie. It sounds really good.

This recipe is a favorite of ours, and one I used to make quite a bit for stay over guests. Reminds me that I may need to make them again this weekend.

The only waffles Better Than That Damn Mix -source Beat That Cookbook, Ann Hodgman

2 tsp sugar
1 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 c lukewarm water
2 c lukewarm milk
1/2 c unsalted butter melted (I use 6tbsp melted butter 2tbsp walnut oil)
2 large eggs, beaten well
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp salt
few gratings fresh nutmeg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all purpose flour
1/2c whole wheat flour
1/2c rye flour
2 tsps cornmeal
pinch baking soda

In large mixing bowl proof the sugar, yeast and water for 5 min.

Beat in the milk, melted butter, walnut oil (if using), eggs, maple syrup, salt, nutmeg, vanilla extract.
In a small bowl, stir together flours, cornmeal and b.soda. Whisk the dry into the wet ingredients, mixing well.
Cook according to your waffle maker.

Makes about 8 waffles.

Oh, those look beautiful, Ann and everyone else's! Waffles for sure on menu tomorrow morning, but I only have a Belgian one.

If in New York, Melba's in Harlem does fried catfish with waffles (they also do chicken). Like the idea of cornmeal waffles with chilli, too.

I know it sounds a bit odd...but you can make hash brown waffles! make your hash brown recipe and cook them in the waffle maker. Cooks evenly and doesn't look like a lump of yuck.

I just bought a new belgium waffle maker and can't wait to get started with it. This thread has me inspired.

Hashbrown waffles sound great. Mine never come out well in a frying pan.

It sounds like this would be a good time to take a look at THE WAFFLEIZER.

Here is a link that might be useful: Waffle Experiments

OK. I am sold. Any recommendations for brand/ model. DD8 loves waffles and I am spending a pretty penny on frozen ones. These look like fun and they can be frozen too!

Oh Ann! I found a recipe that has "you" written all over it. Smitten Kitten posted a raised (yeast) waffle recipe yesterday. It's from Marion Cunningham's Breakfast Book.

"These are like no waffle IâÂÂve ever known. This is not pancake batter poured in a grid mold; this is not cake. This is a cross between the finest yeast doughnut youâÂÂve ever sunk your teeth into and a rich brioche roll. The edges are as golden and crisp as the outermost layer of puffed pastry and the center is as rich as pudding but as airy as a soufflé. The aroma is that of freshly baked challah and the flavor is something of a malty croissant--not sweet, but so complete in its complexity, you might even forget to drizzle it with syrup. It sounds heavy, yet they have all the heft of a paperclip. I mean, come on, thereâÂÂs no way youâÂÂre still reading and not on your way to the kitchen, right?"

Here is a link that might be useful: Smitten Kitchen

Gwlolo, I spent a lot of time looking at reviews and the Chef's Choice came out on top. BUT there were others that also got great reviews including the Calphalon. In fact I probably would have bought the Calphalon, had I been able to find one locally, but only because it was substantially less expensive.

Good Housekeeping is a good place to start. They reviewed all the top Waffle Makers and many were given good reviews.

Thanks Rob, you are right. I would like this recipe. Moe might be having waffles tomorrow for breakfast.

~Ann

this is on my birthday wishlist :) The recipe from smitten kitchen sounds delish!

GWlolo, that recipe is delicious. I would call it the perfect waffle.
I hope you don't have to wait too long for your birthday wish to be fulfilled.

~Ann

I knew it...I just knew it....I was going to get hooked on waffles after reading and rereading about waffles. I have never been a waffle person (I do like pancakes tho)....My husband is the waffle guy...have just decided I am going to buy HIM a waffle iron for Fathers Day and I am going to master the waffle world.

I am confused about the difference between the Belguim and regular waffle. Can someone explain to me?

No body could read all the waffle threads and not get interested. I am in and now heading to the Good Housekeeping reviews. Shirl

Branching out from traditional waffle making came in handy this weekend. I was sitting for the grandbabies at their house. Breakfast time comes and I found a roll (the kind that you whack on the counter to pop open) of Pillsbury Cinnamon Grands. I took out two, put them on the waffle maker, cooked one minute, glazed, then had two waffle buns for the kids.

I haven't purchased this kind of product in a long time but I might consider it because the HG can't eat cinnamon rolls and occasionally I would like one.

I am curious why I can not see my post yesterday?

Me, too. This is thread was showing a most recent post date of May 15, 2013, until your post above mine. Another weird thing that I have noticed: Posts with photos that lack the photo icon.

This thread is almost a year old.

~Ann

It might be old, but your waffles have got me wanting to eat some!!!

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