Ingredient Ideology | THE WAFFLE MANTRA TO TRY OUT & CHERISH By: Dr Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

Article and Recipes for HOSPEMAG- MONDAY- 12TH JUNE 2023.

Waffle is a dish made from leavened batter or dough that is cooked between two plates that are patterned to give a characteristic size, shape, and surface impression. 1869 – Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York, a Dutch-American, receives a patent for the first waffle iron in the U.S., on August 24th.There are many variations based on the type of waffle iron and recipe used. Waffle-making made its way to America with Dutch colonists in the 1620s. It was one hundred years later, in Robert Smith's Court Cookery, that the English language saw the appearance of the word "waffle" for the first time. 

Waffles were enjoyed sweet, with butter, syrup, or fruit, or savory, with kidney stew. Pancakes and waffles are bread, the type known as 'quick bread' - bread leavened with baking soda or baking powder. Waffles are almost identical to pancakes, only having a little fatter in the batter, and cooked on a grid-shaped pan (waffle maker). A soft, bread-like cake with a surface of uniform indentations similar to a honeycomb. Waffles are made with a pourable batter that usually consists of flour, milk, oil, sugar, eggs, salt, and baking powder.

In many places, waffles are served and eaten with a knife and fork. Pierce the corner of the waffle with your fork, and use the knife to cut off a small, bite-sized piece. Use the fork to pick up the piece and bring it to your mouth. Wait until you chew and swallow before cutting another small piece. Serve them hot, warm, or chilled, depending on your toppings. Cooked waffles can be frozen and heated up in the toaster. Unused batter mixture can be kept in a container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, though we always recommend to make them fresh and enjoying them without much wait and delay!

Here are a few Simple- Easy to make Waffle Recipes with a variety of savoury options to choose from.

Recipe-1] CRISPY CHICKEN WAFFLES

Ingredients:

For the waffle batter:

Refined flour / maida-2 cups

Melted butter- 2-3 tbsp.

Salt-1 pinch

Eggs- 2 no

Milk-1/2 cup

Water-1/4 cup

Sugar-1/4 tsp

Baking powder-1/4 tsp

For the waffle filling:

Boneless chicken breasts- 250 gms, thinly sliced

For the marination:

Salt and pepper to taste

Oil-2 tsp

Mustard paste-1/2 tsp

Mixed herbs-1/4 tsp

Lime juice-2 tsp

Apply on the chicken and keep aside for 20 mins

To coat and deep fry:

Maida- 1 cup

Eggs-2 no

Bread crumbs- 1 cup

Oil to fry

To assemble the waffle:

Butter-2-3 tsp

Cream cheese- 2-3 tsp

Parsley-2-3 tsp chopped

Peanut butter-1-2 tsp

Lettuce leaves- 1 cup

Tomato ketchup-2-3 tsp

Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions

Mayonnaise-1/2 cup

Chili sauce-2-3 tsp

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the waffle recipe as listed.

2. Start with the waffle batter first, mix all the ingredients well and using a hand blender prepare a batter of a light coating texture and allow to rest for 20 mins.

3. Proceed with the marinated chicken pieces, coat them with dry maida, then beaten eggs and finally with bread crumbs and deep fry in medium hot oil until golden color, remove and drain excess oil.

4. Continue with the waffle maker, pour in the batter into the waffle maker as per prescriptions, allow to set and cook to a nice golden brown color.

5. Remove the waffle once cooked, and start the assembling of the waffle sandwich starting with butter, cream cheese, sliced veggies, some lettuce leaves, fried chicken pieces, and cover it, serve with assorted dips/ sauces.

Recipe-2] CHEESY BAKED WAFFLES 

Ingredients:

For the waffle batter:

Refined flour / maida-2 cups

Melted butter- 2-3 tbsp.

Salt-1 pinch

Eggs- 2 no

Milk-1/2 cup

Sugar-1/4 tsp

Baking powder-1/4 tsp

For the waffle topping:

Butter-2-3 tsp

Oil-1 tsp

Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

Onions-1 small chopped

Capsicum-1/2 chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp

Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

Green olives- 3-4 no

Black olives- 3-4 no

Shredded roast/ grilled chicken- ½ cup

Tomato ketchup-2-3 tbsp.

Red chili sauce-1-2 tsp

Grated cheese-1 cup

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the waffle recipe as listed.

2. Start with the waffle batter first, mix all the ingredients well and using a hand blender prepare a batter of a light coating texture and allow to rest for 20 mins.

3. Proceed with the topping for the waffle heat up oil and butter in a pan, saute the garlic, onions, and capsicums add any other ingredients/veggies as well like mushrooms, corn, broccoli etc add in the seasonings, herbs, chili flakes and cook for 2-3 mins and keep aside.

4. Continue with the waffle maker, pour in the batter into the waffle maker as per prescriptions, allow to set and cook to a nice golden brown color.

5. Remove the waffle once cooked, and start the assembling of the waffle by placing the prepared toppings on it after applying sauce, placing the roast/grilled sliced chicken pieces, top with cheese, olives and bake in a pre-heated oven for 6-9 mins, remove serve with assorted dips/ sauces.

Recipe-3] HEALTHY WAFFLE BITES

Ingredients:

For the waffle batter:

Refined flour / maida-2 cups

Melted butter- 2-3 tbsp.

Salt-1 pinch

Eggs- 2 no

Milk-1/2 cup

Water-1/4 cup

Sugar-1/4 tsp

Baking powder-1/4 tsp

For the waffle toppings:

Oil- 2 tsp

Butter-1 tsp

Green chilies-1 tsp chopped

Garlic-1 tsp chopped

Onion-1 small chopped

Chicken liver- 250 gms, cleaned cut into 4 pieces each- boiled.

For veg options- use paneer cubes/ tofu/ zucchini/ mushrooms etc

Salt and pepper to taste

Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp

Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

Tomato ketchup-2-3 tsp

Red chili sauce-1-2 tsp

Water-1/2 cup

Soy sauce-1 tsp

Peanut butter-1-2 tsp

Coriander leaves-2-3 tsp chopped

Spring onion greens-2-3 tsp chopped

Lime juice-1-2 tsp

Poached eggs-2-3 no

Cheese slices-2-3 no

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the waffle recipe as listed.

2. Start with the waffle batter first, mix all the ingredients well and using a hand blender prepare a batter of a light coating texture and allow to rest for 20 mins.

3. Proceed with the topping for the waffle heat up oil and butter in a pan, saute the garlic, onions, chicken liver pieces add any other ingredients/ or as per the list of veggie options as well like mushrooms, corn, broccoli etc add in the seasonings, herbs, chili flakes, sauces and peanut butter etc and cook for 2-3 mins and keep aside.

4. Continue with the waffle maker, pour in the batter into the waffle maker as per prescriptions, allow to set and cook to a nice golden brown color.

5. Remove the waffle once cooked, and start the assembling of the waffle by placing the prepared toppings on a base of cheese slice on it and getting it ready for final presentation, place the poached egg at the end on top, garnish with the greens and serve with assorted dips/ sauces.

Recipe-4] BREAKFAST WAFFLE CHOICE

Ingredients:

For the waffle batter:

Refined flour / maida-2 cups

Melted butter- 2-3 tbsp.

Salt-1 pinch

Eggs- 2 no

Milk-1/2 cup

Water-1/4 cup

Sugar-1/4 tsp

Baking powder-1/4 tsp

For the waffle toppings:

Oil- 2 tsp

Butter-1 tsp

Shallots- 5- 8 no peeled and cut 1 x 2

Boiled eggs- 2-3 sliced

Ham/ salami slices- 2-3 no

Cheese slices-2-3 no

Salt and pepper to taste

Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp

Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

Tomato ketchup-2-3 tsp

Mustard paste-1 tsp

Mayonnaise/ cream cheese- 2-3 tsp

For the veg options:

Grilled tofu slices- 2-3 no

Tomato –cucumber slices 3-4 no

Peanut butter-2-3 tsp

Grilled pineapple slices- 2-3 no

Stewed peaches/ pears-2-3 no

Assorted nuts- 2-3 tsp 

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the waffle recipe as listed.

2. Start with the waffle batter first, mix all the ingredients well and using a hand blender prepare a batter of a light coating texture and allow to rest for 20 mins.

3. Proceed with the topping for the waffle heat up oil and butter in a pan, saute the shallots for a couple of mins, add in the pieces of ham/ salami/sausages etc and add a little seasoning, herbs, chili flakes and saute for a minute and remove. Keep aside.

4. Continue with the waffle maker, pour in the batter into the waffle maker as per prescriptions, allow to set and cook to a nice golden brown color.

5. Remove the waffle once cooked, and start the assembling of the waffle by placing the prepared toppings on a base of cheese slice on it and getting it ready for final plating, top it up with all the ingredient options as listed, drizzle a little of the sauces as per choice, place them under a hot salamander or in a hot oven for a couple of minutes, garnish with the greens and serve with assorted dips/ sauces.

Recipe-5] WAFFLE AND SALAD DUET

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

For the waffle batter:

Refined flour / maida-2 cups

Melted butter- 2-3 tbsp.

Salt-1 pinch

Eggs- 2 no

Milk-1/2 cup

Water-1/4 cup

Sugar-1/4 tsp

Baking powder-1/4 tsp

For the waffle toppings:

For the nutty cheesy crumble:

Butter- 2-3 tsp

Roasted crushed peanuts-1/4 cup

Grated cheese/ cheese powder- ¼ cup

Crushed pepper-1/2 tsp

Bread crumbs-1/4 cup

Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp

For the tossed green salad:

Assorted lettuce leaves-1 cup

Olive oil- 2-3 tsp

Cherry tomatoes-3-4 no cut 1 x 2

Cucumber slices- ½ cup

Shallots- 3-4 sliced

Feta cheese-1/2 cup

Mixed herbs-1-2 tsp

Sliced nuts- 2-3 tsp

Salt and pepper to taste

Mustard paste-1 tsp

Lime juice- 2-3 tsp

Olives- 4-5 no black/ green

Mint/ parsley/coriander/basil- ¼ cup

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the waffle recipe as listed.

2. Start with the waffle batter first, mix all the ingredients well and using a hand blender prepare a batter of a light coating texture and allow to rest for 20 mins.

3. Proceed with the topping for the waffle heat up oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients as listed for a couple of mins, etc and add a little seasoning, herbs, chili flakes and saute for a minute and remove. Keep aside.

4. To prepare the tossed green salad, in a mixing bowl combine together the ingredients for the dressing and add in the ingredients toss them well and assemble on the serving plate.

5. Assemble the cooked waffle on the serving plate with the green tossed salad and top it with the prepared crumble mixture and garnish with fresh herbs and serve it.

Recipe- 6] HERB & SPICE WAFFLE COMBO

Ingredients:

For the waffle batter:

Refined flour / maida-2 cups

Melted butter- 2-3 tbsp.

Salt-1 pinch

Eggs- 1 no

Milk-1/4 cup

Water-1/4 cup

Pesto sauce-2-3 tbsp.

Assorted fresh green herbs-1/4 cup fine chopped

Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

Sugar-1/4 tsp

Baking powder-1/4 tsp

For the waffle toppings:

Oil- 2 tsp

Butter-1 tsp

Onions- ½ cup sliced

Garlic-1 tsp chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Hung curd-1 cup

Cream cheese-2 tsp

Mixed herbs-1/4 tsp

Chili flakes-1/4 tsp

Chaat masala-1/4 tsp

Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped

Honey-2-3 tsp

Chili sauce/ peanut butter/ as needed to serve alongside.

Method:

 1. Prepare all the ingredients for the waffle recipe as listed.

2. Start with the waffle batter first, mix all the ingredients well and using a hand blender prepare a batter of a light coating texture and allow to rest for 20 mins.

3. Proceed with the topping for the waffle heat up oil and butter in a pan, saute the ingredients as listed for a couple of mins, etc and add a little seasoning, herbs, chili flakes and saute for a minute and remove. Keep aside.

4. To prepare the waffles for presentation assemble the cooked waffle on a serving plate and top it up with the saute mix of ingredients and then spoon over the mixture of cream cheese and hung curd mix and garnish with assorted fresh greens. Serve immediately with choice of dips and sauces/ salads etc.