Always wanted to say that. Last night, I finally could!
I’ve wanted a waffle maker for years, but lately it’s been on my mind constantly (most likely because Rachel Ray just finished “Waffle Week” on her show). My fear is that I’ll rarely use it – which is the case with virtually all my kitchen appliances. Still, I often have fantasies of all the things I can waffle-ize. My cousin Amy let me borrow hers for a trial run.
Villaware’s Irons aren’t exactly cheap – this one isn’t even in stock anymore! I fear I might be getting spoiled…this is like test driving a Mercedes.
I’m seeing my Animal Activist buddies Jasmin and Mariann later today, so in their honor, I searched online for a vegan version. Christy was kind enough to bring me 1/2 a cup of applesauce before our morning walk too!
The batter is purple because I added Maqui Powder. I also subbed the veggie oil for coconut, and used just white flour. (I can never stick to a recipe, can I?)
Wasn’t sure which setting to go with, so I went conservatively. When the iron is hot, the green light goes off/starts to beep (<— freaked Julius out to no end).
Spray top and bottom…
…are you supposed to spread the batter out completely before closing? I decided not to.
Still not sure if that was the right choice, since some oozed out…
…and some were incomplete:
I also got nervous and removed them before the green light went off again. It had already been 7 minutes (some other recipes said 2-3 minutes!) and I did not want them to burn…
…turned out to be a mistake, since they were underdone.
Too nervous to stick them back into the iron, I just nuked the other servings till cooked through, then drizzled some Fig Syrup (a gift from my intern Mina) on top.
As I write this, I now realize this meal may not have been totally cruelty-free, since some argue that figs aren’t vegan…
…nonetheless, the syrup was essential – there was no sugar in the batter! Next time I’ll add some sweetener.
For my second waffle, I took an incomplete one and spread TJ’s Roasted Flaxseed Valencia Peanut Butter on top…
…couple drops of Vanilla Stevia too…
…this was a very good combo.
The best part about waffles? They freeze well. I’m going to need to experiment more before I make a commitment, so feel free to share your favorite recipes (and other iron uses) in the comments!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the purple waffles! I’ve been contemplating get a waffle iron myself…I don’t think I’d use it enough though. =/
We love waffles here. My husband makes them on the weekends for the kiddo. We have a really cheap one too! Not like the Mercedes in your post! I even dropped it once and broke the hinge, but it still works! He puts a few chocolate chips or white chocolate chips or Reese’s pieces in his (after batter is poured in). It helps to just do the inner part to avoid the oozing. Also, he waits until the light is green, because we like them crispy. They are best eaten immediately. When we reheat, we use the toaster oven (we have a Cuisinart that is like a little Easy Bake oven, not the kind where the bread pops out) set on 2-4 depending on whether or not they’ve been frozen. We haven’t bought waffles in a store for years now.
Hope you enjoy it — yours are much more healthy!
reese’s pieces – YUM!!!
OMG OMG that link! I am not sure if I can eat figs now…
OMG Lynn – they have the perfect size sqaure…I need one of those bad boys…j’yummy
1) Villaware is typically worth the money, but there are probably some lower cost versions that work well too. Cook’s Illustrated is a publication put out by the same folks that produce NPR’s show America’s Test Kitchen and is probably the best source for comparisons of waffle irons…or anything else for that matter. You may want to opt for one that can double as a griddle and/or panani press.
2) I make waffles in my grandmothers waffle iron from the 1940′s-50′s, which I love. Even used sparingly, a waffle iron is great to have. You may want to opt for one that can double as a griddle and/or panani press.
3) Your first waffle will virtually always suck. (This is true of crepes and pancakes as well.) The first one’s job is to season the pan, make sure the temperature is where you need it and give you an idea of how much batter to use.
4) Bisquick is probably the best and easiest make waffles in a pinch mix. I know all about the “healthier” versions. We’re talking straight up taste and ease of use. I’m pretty certain you don’t want my regular recipe, which involves whipping egg whites, etc.
5) Fresh made waffles reheat best if they’ve only been kept in the fridge, but are only good for about a week that way.
6) I’m pretty amazed this recipe without eggs held together.
Blah blah blah. Enough already! I’m outta here.
The figs link. For Pete’s sake. This is why I can’t stick to a vegan diet, there’s too much discussion involved.
I’ve kind of been wanting a waffle iron lately too, but I know I wouldn’t use it enough. We eat pancakes/french toast type foods maybe twice a year!
I seriously need to find my waffle iron. Nothing compares to fresh homemade waffles!
I LOVE my waffle iron. I used it this morning to make blueberry corn waffles and have been really into protein waffles lately! You can also cook shredded sweet potatoes on it with FABULOUS results!
I like the sweet potato idea!!!
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Pretty waffles! I would definitely recommend buying a waffle maker- I use mine loads and for a cooked breakfast, they’re super easy & quick…unlike pancakes, no flipping involved!
I love making oatmeal waffles!
I know this might sound strange, but I actually enjoy the slight squishy-ness of undercooked waffles! And I guess because these are vegan there aren’t any raw eggs to worry about. I still can’t believe the tidbit about the figs not being vegan…that’s like saying pizza is a vegetable (which, sadly, has also been argued for)
I love the purple color of the waffles! Oh and the link to the figs….eek! I don’t think I can eat another one without thinking of wasps, yikes! Ah well. Have a great weekend!
Ahhh waffles. I think your first attempt went pretty well (they can take a while to get the hang of – I’ve had some major fails!). I actually use pancake recipes for waffles often (as long as it’s thick enough it totally works), this is a good easy started recipe for vegan pancakes http://allrecipes.com/recipe/vegan-pancakes/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=vegan%20pancakes&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=%2fmy%2frecipebox%2fdefault.aspx
I always sub applesauce for oil and you can use whatever sweetener you want (plus I tend to add vanilla and cinnamon to EVERYTHING).
When I make waffles I pour the batter in each of the 4 “waffle molds” separately, then just close it up, this tends to have the least spillage and the most even cook in my experience. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
That is a SERIOUS waffle maker. I also love spreading peanut butter on my waffles.