Waffles

The first recipe will serve waffles for at least 6 very hungry people. The second is a smaller batch and less complicated to make.

Special Waffles (the BIG batch)
Feeds 12

You will need:

A waffle iron (American or Belgian style)

• 1 kilo flour
• 2 tsp baking soda (also called drinking soda or sodium bicarbonate)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 dozen eggs, separated, whites from yolks
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 litre of milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• (optional) 1/4 tsp almond extract

Directions:

1. Put the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt) in a very large bowl, and stir together thoroughly.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks and oil with an electic mixer or wire whisk.
3. Add the egg and oil mixture to the flour mixture, and smash together coarsley.
4. Add the milk, and mix until a very thick batter is formed, but there are no dry areas left.
5. Clean your mixer or whisk, and yet another bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
6. Preheat your waffle iron to medium.
7. Pour the egg whites into the the batter, and fold together until there are no lumps.
8. Add the vanilla extract (and the almond extract, if you choose) and fold this in until it is well distributed.
9. Brush your waffle iron with a little vegetable oil.
10. Using a cup or ladle, pour the batter into the waffle iron as directed. If it doesn't spread out all over, it's okay, because these will puff as they are cooked, because of the eggs and baking soda.
11. Close the waffle iron down well onto the batter, and cook until they are golden. This usually takes 2 to 3 minutes.
12. Serve while warm, or let cool on a cloth covered plate, and freeze them in a container or bags. They can be put in the toaster or oven to reheat.

Variations and additions:

Serve with whipped cream, fruit, margerine and syrup, or ice cream.
For a savory waffle, don't use the vanilla extract. Instead, add 1 cup of shredded cheddar, 1/2 tsp paprika, and a dash of black
pepper.

Easy Weekend Pancakes or Waffles

Feeds 4

You will need:

• 3 cups flour
  
• 1 and 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/3 cup sugar
  
• 3 to 6 eggs (depending on how eggy you like them)
  
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 to 2 cups buttermilk (depending on how many eggs you used)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, and aerate using an electric mixer.
2. Make a well in the center of this and add the eggs and oil. Beat the eggs and oil together in this space, and then start incorporating the flour mixture.
3. While mixing, add enough buttermilk to make it about the thickness of a good ketchup.
4. Mix in the vanilla extract and mix for at least another 3 minutes.

Use the batter for either pancakes or waffles.