Whoa whoa whoa, you must absolutely make the following two recipes.
Despite my waffle obsession, I hadn't yet posted a waffle recipe. And why is that? Because there was no go-to waffle recipe that I could count on, until now. Aretha Frankensteins Waffle of Insane Greatness is appropriately named. The addition of cornstarch in the batter produces a wonderfully crispy waffle that differentiates itself from the fluffy (and inferior) pancake. I'm so happy with this recipe and am excited to make some amazing waffle concoctions with it, like the korean subway waffle filled with cream and apple syrup.
The second recipe that I am completely smitten with is balsamic roasted strawberries and it pairs amazingly with the waffles. Prior to leaving on vacation, I had about two pounds of fresh strawberries that I couldn't bare to toss. So I washed, hulled, sliced, and froze all the strawberries. When I came back from vacation and realized that I had no fruit to pair with the waffles or to put in my daily yogurt breakfast, I remembered the frozen strawberries. Texturally, defrosted fruit is gross because it's all mushy and watery, and to eat it frozen is a brain freeze waiting to happen. So best solution? Roasted strawberries! And to make it more interesting, I first tossed the frozen strawberries with balsamic vinegar. Absolutely divine eaten both hot or cold. And another bonus is that because roasting brings out the natural sugars in the strawberries, there's no need for maple syrup on the waffles.
Waffle of Insane Greatness
Adapted from Aretha Frankensteins
Serves 2-4, depending on the waffle maker
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used white whole-wheat flour, sifted)
¼ cup cornstarch
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (I did half oil and half butter)
1 egg
1½ tsp sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil or butter, egg, sugar, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Let the batter sit for 30 minutes.
Heat a waffle iron, pour the batter, and cook the waffles.
Serve immediately with balsamic roasted strawberries and a dollop of plain greek yogurt.
Or hold in a 200 degree oven, directly on the rack (don't stack them or they'll get soggy).
Balsamic Roasted Strawberries
Inspired by Shutterbean
Makes ~1 heaping cup
Ingredients
16 oz. medium fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and cut in half
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Take the cut strawberries, put in a large mixing bowl, and toss to coat evenly with balsamic vinegar.
Spread a layer of strawberries on the baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, or until strawberries are soft. Turn up the oven to broil and let strawberries crisp just briefly as there should still be juices left in the pan.
Eat strawberries hot or store in the refrigerator to enjoy cold.
