Culinary Memories
Waffle Wonders
By Sheela Sheth, Food Expert
My first encounter with a waffle maker was a bizarre success story trying out savoury recipes with an Indian flavour. The gadget works on the same principle as a manual sandwich-maker we used in the ’50s but with the iron grid making honeycomb patterns to accommodate the syrup, and the toppings making a delectable breakfast and a yummy dessert.
Chickpea Waffle
Ingredients
1 cup chickpea flour
2 tbsp semolina
2 tbsp yoghurt
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 carrot, finely grated (optional)
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp sugar (optional)
½ cup water
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste
Directions
- In a large bowl, sieve flour and semolina and whisk, adding yoghurt, water and salt to a smooth consistency
- Add baking soda and the rest of the ingredients, mixing well
- Preheat the waffle maker to medium heat
- Grease the plates with oil pouring ½ cup of batter
- Close and let it cook for five to seven minutes
- Remove and serve with sauce or chutney of your choice
Green Peas Waffle
Ingredients
1 cup semolina
2 tbsp yoghurt
1 tbsp rice flour or chickpea flour
1 cup green peas
1 green chilli, finely cut
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp oil of your choice
1 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
Salt to taste
Directions
- Coarsely grind green peas in a blender
- Combine all the above ingredients except the Eno fruit salt and mix into a smooth batter
- Add baking soda just before making the waffles
- Preheat the waffle iron and spread the batter on the greased tray
- Let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes until it turns golden brown
- Serve hot with mango chutney or ketchup
Cheesy Cornbread
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal (flour)
2 large eggs
½ cup butter
1 cup buttermilk
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup grated cheese
Honey or jam (optional)
Directions
- Whisk all the above ingredients except honey and cheese into a smooth batter
- Preheat waffle iron
- Smear oil on the tray and spread a spoonful of batter into the waffle iron
- Cook until golden brown and keep warm in the oven repeating with the rest of the batter
- Sprinkle grated cheese when warm
- Sprinkle honey or jam and fruit of your choice
You can contact Sheela Sheth at reply2sheela@yahoo.com
Sidebar
Sheela’s kitchen confidentials
- Waffles freeze well and you can toast them to get back their freshness
- Yoghurt makes a perfect complement for waffle batter, replacing milk sometimes
- I like my waffle loaded with either fruits or vegetables, creating a perfect meal