Tuesday, March 25, 2008

International Waffle Day!

Well well well...... today (March 25) is International Waffle Day so I guess everyone all over the world will be making waffles today. smile~ It seems that today is not the only waffle day that's listed in our calendar. August 24 is National Waffle Day and the first week in September is National Waffle WEEK. More Info on waffle holidays The photo to the right is Polenta waffles with mixed berry sauce. I spoke with Christine by email and she has the recipe for these beautiful waffles on her blog site. Polenta waffles with mixed berry sauce recipe. When I was growing up as a child, my Mother didn't have a waffle maker so we never ate them. We did eat the heck out of pancakes though! hahaha! Especially on Saturday morning. I would have pancakes while watching cartoons. Ahhhhh memories- As an adult I have my own waffle maker now. I loveeeee belgian waffles! Not very often do I eat waffles for breakfast though. I actually like to eat them as a dessert. (fruit and whipcream on top) Featured Waffle Products History Tells Us waffles were first introduced to North America in 1620, by pilgrims who brought the method from Holland. Thomas Jefferson brought a waffle iron from France, and waffle frolics or parties became popular in the late eighteenth century. Waffles were eaten with both sweet (e.g. molasses or maple syrup) and savoury (such as kidney stew) toppings.
  • The Brussels Waffle (known in the USA as the Belgian Waffle) is prepared from a yeast-leavened batter, to give a light, crisp waffle. It is often served warm by street vendors, dusted with confectioner's sugar, and sometimes topped with whipped cream or chocolate spread. It may also be served as a dessert, with fruits, whipped cream or ice cream.
  • The Liège waffle (from the city of Liège, in eastern Belgium) is a waffle usually bought and eaten warm on the street. They are usually freshly made in small shops, but it is also possible to buy them in supermarkets. They are smaller, sweeter and denser than "Belgian waffles". The last-minute addition of nib sugar to the batter produces a caramelized sugar coating. This gives a distinctive flavor. Most are served plain, but some are vanilla or cinnamon flavored, and can be served with toppings like fruits, creams, and chocolate. The Liège waffle was invented by a cook of the prince-bishop of Liège in the 18th century.
  • American waffles, common in the United States, are made from a batter leavened with baking powder, rather than yeast, always lightened with beaten egg-whites. They are usually served as a sweet breakfast food, topped with butter and various syrups,(in the southern parts of America they put peanut butter on it). but are also found in many different savory dishes, such as chicken and waffles. They are generally denser and thinner than the Belgian waffle.
  • Virginia waffles are made with rice or cornmeal instead of wheat-flour.
  • In Ireland and the UK, the potato waffle, is a savory frozen food in waffle shape, made of reconstituted potato, oil and seasonings. These waffles may be baked, grilled, prepared in a toaster or fried, and are used as a side dish or snack.
  • Hong Kong style waffle, in Hong Kong called a "grid cake" (格仔餅), is a waffle usually made and sold by street hawkers and eaten warm on the street. They are similar to a traditional waffle but larger, round in shape and divided into four quarters. They are usually served as a snack. Butter, peanut butter and sugar are spread on one side of the cooked waffle and then it is folded into a semi circle to eat. Egg, sugar and evaporated milk are used in the waffle recipes, giving them a sweet flavor. They are generally soft and not dense. Traditional Hong Kong style waffles are full of the flavor of yolk. Sometimes different flavors, such as chocolate and honey melon flavor are used in the recipe and create various colors.
  • Scandinavian waffles are soft and generally divided into four or five segments, traditionally vaguely heart-shaped. The segments are often separated and eaten one by one or folded in pairs. Scandinavian waffles are often eaten with butter, jam, sour cream or sugar, but it is not uncommon to eat them plain. More exotic toppings, such as ice cream or fruit, are occasionally seen.
Basic Waffle Recipe 4 3/4 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 1 cup 4 3/4 ounces whole-wheat flour, approximately 1 cup 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons sugar 3 whole eggs, beaten 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted 16 ounces buttermilk, room temperature Vegetable spray, for waffle iron. Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flours, soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl beat together eggs and melted butter, and then add the buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Ladle the recommended amount of waffle batter onto the iron according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Close iron top and cook until the waffle is golden on both sides and is easily removed from iron. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve.

Chicken and waffles

Chicken and waffles is a dish, combining waffles, typically a breakfast food, with chicken, sometimes fried, that is served in certain specialty restaurants in the United States.

It's important to note, however, that there are two types of dishes that go by the name of chicken and waffles. The first type is one not often referred to: it consists of a plain waffle with chopped-up chicken on top, covered in gravy. The most common usage of the phrase, however, refers to the serving of fried chicken along with a waffle, the waffle then typically being covered with butter and/or syrup (as is common practice among those who eat waffles for breakfast in the United States). This unusual combination of foods is beloved by many people who are influenced by traditions of soul food passed down from past generations of their families. Something To Ponder Why is an orange an orange but an apple not a red? Quote for today Living in a vacuum sucks. Silly Boy Joke A little kid walks into a movie theater one day. At the counter, he buys one ticket and then goes in. All of a sudden, he comes back out and buys another one. The man at the counter asks 'Why do you want another one?' The kid replies 'Because that man over there ripped the other one!' Ok my friends that's all for today. Please feel free to click the comment button below this article and give us your take on waffles. We would all love to hear. Make Everyday a Holiday! Your Internet friend, Pam

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like thin pecan waffles with a lot of butter. Mike / UK

Anonymous said...

My family eats waffles about 3 times a week. We make belgium waffles with cottage cheese on top and peaches. Great blog. BusyBee

Anonymous said...

We eat the Brussel style waffle. Spread with chocolate spread. Nan