Tuesday, August 05, 2008

what's cooking wednesday - gingerbread waffles

Not long ago I mentioned to Mike that I thought an ice cream maker would be a lot of fun for the family. He did not agree, citing all the other kitchen appliances I had to have which now, by and large, go unused. Admittedly he did have a point, but it isn't near as bad as he makes it sound.

My neglected stable of kitchen toys includes; a kitchen aid mixer that I would probably use more if it was out on my counter, but it is a dinosaur of a machine that belonged to my Grandma. Let's just say at this stage of it's life the pretty has long worn off.

A deep fryer, that technically belongs to my mother and I likely should return, but she has my smaller crockpot... so I justify it that way. We do use the deep fryer very occasionally.

A steamer which really only gets pulled out when I'm making veggies for a big dinner like thanksgiving or Christmas. I once suggested getting rid of it to Mike and oddly enough he was against the idea. While I may not use it often I do LOVE it when I do.

The bread maker that sat neglected for many years, but has been enjoying a recent spike in popularity.

The crockpot a large one, which I only tend to use in the winter. I have no idea why since it's a great option for the summer. Nice hot meal without having to turn on the oven.

The waffle maker. Now I love waffles and thought this would be a fun thing to have. I don't use it all that often because Michael claims he doesn't like waffles. However he has been known to sneak some Eggos into the grocery cart when he thinks I'm not looking, so it's safe to say he's full of it.

Taking all of this into consideration I came up with a diabolical plan. I would start using these neglected kitchen appliances just to prove they weren't a waste and maybe I could change his mind on the whole ice cream thing. I'll let you know how it goes...

Gingerbread Waffles


Gingerbread Waffles

1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, separated
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup molasses
3 tbsp butter or margarine, melted
1/3 cup chopped raisins
1/8 tsp cream of tartar

In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, mustard and salt; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat brown sugar and egg yolk until fluffy. Add buttermilk, molasses and butter and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined. Mix in raisins.

In a small bowl beat egg white and cream of tartar together until soft peaks form. Gently fold in to the batter. Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturers directions.

Recipe Notes: I love love love gingerbread. So these jumped right out at me as I surfed waffle recipes on allrecipes. Yes, these are a bit of work and I can't see making them for breakfast anytime soon, but they were perfect as dessert with some vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the sundae topping of your choice (I went with caramel). The recipe turned out a soft waffle, there was no crispness to the outside, but that didn't really bother me. Mike and I both really liked the mellow taste, it wasn't an overpowering gingerbread. I can definitely see these turning up as dessert in the future. Especially near Christmas time.




What is What's Cooking Wednesday and how can I play?

What's cooking Wednesday was born out of a desire to get out of that what's for dinner rut. Playing is easy, on Wednesday post a recipe that has been tried and tested by you and then pop over here and add your name to the Mr. Linky. When entering your name also add the name of the recipe in brackets and make sure you link to your What's Cooking Wednesday post and not just your blog's front page. And don't forget to link back here, the home of What's Cooking Wednesday.

So for example I would write Shan (Speedy Chicken Stir Fry) in the name section. For the URL section I would post this: http://shanrev.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-cooking-wednesday-speedy-chicken.html

I'll let you in on a little secret. Much to Kaffy's chagrin, my WCW recipes are almost never made on a Wednesday. So feel free to cook and photograph whenever you have time and join us posting on Wednesday.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello -- after reading What's Cooking Wednesday for a year on your blog and bleedingespresso, I'm so excited to be playing too :D And the waffles look scrumptious.

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Ooh I'm happy to see City Girl here!

And I *love* your diabolical plan...ingenious! Now pass the syrup....

Julie said...

Mmmm, perhaps I can use your diabolical plan as well... How to turn it into getting a digital SLR camera?

And thanks for giving me a recipe that might revitalise our waffle iron as well.

Mommy Project said...

I've been really wanting to get a waffle iron lately. I've been craving some good waffles (which I did not get on the weekend...as you heard). Your timely post is making me drool...and I want to go shopping for another kitchen appliance!!!!

Leah said...

I have to admit, picky eater ME usually brushes over your wednesday recipes because they just have STUFF in them I wouldn't dare put near my lips, but those tastey looking waffles look GOOD

I'll have to have Dan make some up (I stink at the waffle maker, I either poor too much batter and they ooze and overflow and make a huge mess, or I don't use enough batter and they come out all messed up looking)

little b said...

Graeme talked about getting a waffle maker recently. I looked at him like he was insane, since we got rid of one before the last move since it had gone unused for about three years.

Anonymous said...

Using your unused kitchen appliances is a great idea. My husband has carted our waffle iron to his work and I miss it dearly about every six months.

shan said...

I did it. After, what, almost two years (!) of reading your What's Cooking Wednesday posts, I took the plunge.

I am so trying those waffles. I love homemade waffles, but all I have is a Belgian waffle iron that makes one waffle at a time. Not the most convenient way to make waffles for family and friends. I need a big one where I can break the sections apart--like yours!!

Erin said...

I so have to try these! I think they'd make a great dessert with some peaches and a little whipped cream ;o)

Shan said...

city girl - welcome to WCW! Glad to have you! And thanks, they were delicious.

Michelle - It is a good plan :)

Julie - Oh I never thought about using the plan for that. Hmmm! Wonder if I could swing an SLR *and* a laptop?

Normie - Oh pregnant lady you have to give into the cravings. I really do love my waffle iron. I just need to plan to use it more often.

Leah - Yay! I finally enticed a picky eater. Too bad it wasn't one of my own ;) Let me know how you liked the waffles!

b - oh that's funny. Similar conversations occur here as well.

Renae - you are right. Ice cream maker or not. I should enjoy the kitchen toys I already own.

Shan - So glad to see you out for WCW! That is the one downside of the waffle maker. The "waffle maker" is busy cooking while everyone else is enjoying the fruits of your labour.

Erin - Mmmm I never thought of peaches. We'll have to enjoy these again.