Savory Cornmeal Waffles
One of my fondest memories growing up was weekend waffles with my dad. I don’t know if it was because he was out of town a lot, or because my mom did most of the cooking growing up, but those waffles seemed extra special. It’s where I honed my mild obsession with tasting batters and dough. I could always be seen licking the spoon or dipping a finger in for another taste. So hygienic. So much raw egg that I have never gotten sick on [as I knock on some wood]. I hold all waffles to these waffles of my dad’s. It’s not very often that I find anything that comes close. I’m not biased or anything.
I think that’s probably why most of the time you find me making pancakes. Pancakes can’t touch my dad’s waffles.
That is until cornmeal was involved. I mean, I love cornbread more than life most things. I’m not usually a fan of super-sweet anything breakfast. If I have anything sweet, it’s usually balanced with savory. It seemed rather perfect that you could make a savory cornbread-esque waffle and throw some eggs and salsa on top. I had a ton of extra roasted veggies [that may or may not have been from the Icelandic stew] so I threw those on there, too. Brilliant.
The batter was awesome, in case you were wondering. Slightly sweet. Totally corny. Just right. Too bad they still don’t have anything on Dad’s.
Inspiration: Pink Parsley
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- Pinch of cayenne powder
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/4 cup buttermilk [I used almond milk with vinegar]
- 3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Preparation
- Warm up your waffle iron while you prep the batter. Preheat your oven to 200° with a baking pan inside to keep waffles warm.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl [or large measuring cup], mix the wet ingredients.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the wet, and stir to incorporate. Don’t overmix.
- Make the waffles according to your waffle maker’s directions.
- Why is it that the first few always suck? I hate that.
Gotta love the better immune system. Hooray for raw eggs! 😛
Cornbread for breakfast? You are a genius. I’ve made cornmeal pancakes before, but it’s usually when I’m too lazy to make actual cornbread and want something to dunk in my dinner. Plus pancakes for dinner are always a win.
And I love dad specials! My dad makes huge peasant-style bread loaves and bbq sauce (separately–although they might be good eaten together), and no other bread or bbq sauce will ever come close.
You should get the recipes from your dad and post them up!
The bread one would be too hard to post–he tried to teach me once, and half of it is judging consistency/etc., no set amounts–it’s definitely a visual recipe rather than a set amount one. Plus, even with a visual lesson I can’t make a loaf that’s even vaguely like his. Grr, I will never be a baker. But the BBQ sauce…that one I could do!
`i’ve never had savoury waffles – but I bet I would love them.
Breakfast foods are always the best… no?!