Waffles

We are very big on breakfast foods at our house. Waffles, pancakes, crepes, German Pancakes, French Toast, we do it all and not just for breakfast, sometimes we eat these for lunch and dinner, too! We're huge fans.

This is actually one of the first recipes Chris tried out on me when we were dating. You see, when you're dating, you tend to spend a lot of time with that person and usually you end up having to eat together. Some couples go out to eat (we did that), some bring sack lunches and plan meals together (did that, too), and some cook for each other to demonstrate what an excellent spouse they would make (we did this as well).

Well, one day I ended up at Chris's house and wouldn't you know it, I got hungry. Once I alerted him to my miserable state, he swiftly stood up and proceeded to the kitchen. I saw him thumb through this stained. floury, well-used cookbook and then I saw him use a wheat grinder. I was kind of perplexed, but comforted to know that he was responding to my needs. To see him grinding the wheat into flour reminded me of the Little Red Hen and I felt a little guilty for not helping him. So, I stood up and discovered that he was making me some waffles.

It reminded me of Donkey's line in the movie Shrek: "In the mornin', I'm makin' waffles!"

These were delicious and very satisfying! Hopefully, you have a good waffle iron because that sort of makes or breaks this recipe (I discovered that when we used our cheap Walmart-brand Waffle Iron). Oh, and the whole grind your own wheat into flour thing is unnecessary, but I think that little extra effort makes a delectable difference. Chris went the extra mile and blended some strawberries for this dish. It was such a beautiful combination, but you're welcome to add any topping you like!

INGREDIENTS:
2 egg yolks
1 3/4 c milk
1/2 c cooking oil or melted shortening
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 t salt
2 egg whites

DIRECTIONS:
1) In small mixing bowl beat egg yolks with fork. Beat in milk and cooking oil or melted shortening.

2) In large mixing bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3) Add egg mixture to flour mixture.

4) Stir mixture till blended but slightly lumpy.

5) In small mixer bowl beat egg whites till stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).

6) Carefully fold egg whites into egg-flour mixture.

7) Leave a few fluffs of egg whites. Do not overmix!

8) Lightly grease the waffle baker. Preheat.

9) Pour batter onto grids of preheated baker. Close lid quickly; do not open during baking.

10) Remove waffle from baker using a fork.

Yields three 9 inch waffles.

Fun side notes:
-Whenever we're thinking of making breakfast foods, we usually end up singing this song to each other. It's quite catchy!

-International Waffle Day is March 25th

-National Waffle Day is August 24th.

-Waffle Day is a day that you can waffle on issues and decisions and it certainly is a day to eat waffles.

-The origin of the waffle: The waffle dates back to the 1300s in Greece. Greeks cooked flat cakes between two metal pans. At the time, they topped it with cheeses and herbs. Pancake syrup wasn't around back then.

International Waffle Day
This holiday originated in Sweden. It is called Våffeldagen. The holiday coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation. This day was also considered the start of spring in Sweden and Europe. It became a custom for Swedish families to celebrate the two events by making waffles on this day.

National Waffle Day
Celebrates the patenting of the waffle iron by Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York on August 24, 1869.