Ingredients
- I never envisioned myself as a person who would spend $200 on a waffle maker.
- Turns out I am, and the mortifying extent to which I’ve come to love this stainless steel beauty is tipping dangerously into character-flaw territory.
- With a new countertop toy at my disposal (and no, I’m not naming brand names; OK, it’s made by All-Clad), I find myself test-driving all kinds of breakfast waffle recipes.
- So far, there are four standouts. They differ from one another in terms of the availability of key ingredients, and degree of difficulty.
Preparation
Step 1
When I crave waffles, I invariably start with Overnight Waffles, a Mark Bittman recipe that I’ve prepared so many times that I committed it to memory years ago. (Yes, they’re even better when prepared in my fancy new waffle maker, a reflection, I’m guessing, of its deeper dimensions and more intense heating capacity.) I’ve never encountered a lighter, more delicate waffle. They’re notably crispy, and their mild yeast flavor is a welcome surprise. (The recipe calls for separating the eggs and beating the whites, but the batter is light enough to skip this step.) They freeze and reheat like a dream, so leftovers are a plus. Another bonus: Overnight Waffles don’t require buttermilk. There’s just one drawback: As the name suggests, the batter must be assembled eight or more hours in advance.
Enter Plain-and-Easy Breakfast Quickies. Dreadful name, sure, but it’s also a rare buttermilk-free waffle recipe. Which is important because when is the last time that you just happened to have buttermilk in your refrigerator?
Chances are, you’ve got these ingredients on hand, and the sturdy results are fine. More than fine, actually.
But let’s face it, buttermilk — and its miraculous tenderizing qualities — can have a profoundly positive impact on waffle texture.
That’s when Basic Buttermilk Waffles come in handy. They’re quick and easy (well, as convenient as beating egg whites can be, but with this formula, it’s a necessary step), tender and tasty, and a reason to add a quart of buttermilk to your shopping list.
When decadence calls, Georgia Bits and Grits Waffles are the way to go, an over-the-top gateway to waffles’ nearly limitless savory side. The grits infuse each bite with a whisper of corn, and of course bacon improves everything it touches.