I had always assumed the American waffle was just a pancake by another name until I saw the pancake thread on this board. So what are waffles exactly? Could I have a recipe?
Also, I’ve heard you have them with maple syrup (delicious, but v. expensive here) - any advice on the best kind? And does maple sugar still exist? (I read about this as a child in Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder!) Thanks…
Waffles are similar to pancakes, but they’re thicker and crisp instead of thin and floppy. You can make waffles with pancake mix, but I’ve never made them so I can’t tell you the specifics.
Waffles are usually about 15mm to 20mm thick, and they are often square. There are waffle makers that make round waffles and novelty shapes as well. Waffles have square indentations in them on each side – little holes that don’t go all the way through, but have a layer of batter in the middle of them. These holes are approximately 1cm square and are arranged in a grid that covers the waffle. Melted butter, syrup, and other toppings naturally find their way into the holes.
You’ll need a waffle iron (a bit like a toasted sandwich maker). Depending where you are in the UK I’m sure you’ll be able to track one down in the homewares section of a department store.
You can also buy frozen ones but they aren’t as good as fresh made of course. The best ones I’ve tasted were in Brussels, with chocolate sauce and caster sugar on. Very filling.
Another version of the American waffle is evasive or vague speech or writing. For example, George H.W. Bush accused then-Governor Clinton of “waffling” on the issues
The best waffles are Belgian waffles. they’re at least an inch thick and ooh so yummy. I’ve never heard of making waffles with pancake batter… that seems like it would be … weird. When I make them (Belgian) I know that the recipe calls for stiffly beaten eggwhites, and you have to carefully fold it all together so it doesn’t go flat.
My favorite way to have them is with homemade caramel syrup and whipped cream. (to make the syrup, you carmelize sugar and add butter and powdered sugar while beating with an electric mixer… mmmm…)
Another common way to have Belgian waffles (or any waffles, but mostly Belgian) is with strawberries and whipped cream.
For waffles with pancake batter - just add a very small amount of oil (some sort of vegetable), so that it will get crispy. At least that’s how we made 'em back when I cooked breakfast at the mental ward where I work.
I eat Belgian waffles with maple syrup, fruit, or caramel. I know lots of people who eat them with butter and syrup, just like pancakes or regular waffles. It isn’t just fruit and whipped cream. And they’re not that different from regular waffles.
Jesus, I’m starving… thanks very much for this and for the multiple links and recipes.
Lobsang, I did try the frozen potato waffles in Uk supermarkets but was not impressed and sort of assumed that they bore little relation to the real thing.
And yes, we also have political waffling here, often served with syrup but taken with a pinch of salt…