Well it’s February and I suppose the most notable thing about this month is The One Moto Show down in Portland, Oregon. But if you aren’t a motorcycle enthusiast, which I suspect most of those reading my pages are not, then February is most likely significant for Valentines Day. Especially if you have kids. I’m sure Valentines day cards have to be thought about and purchased or made. All the classmates names written onto each little envelope. Maybe a fun treat or two is being put together and bagged for the day at school. I am still a few years away from such things but the annual day can still be used as an excuse to make a tasty treat for someone you care about. Or heck even just for yourself!
One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is make up a “not so healthy” breakfast for my fella and I. Something a little carb heavy, maybe with a touch of sugar and lacking slightly in the “green” department. And one of my go to’s is sourdough waffles. Now this recipe does require a sourdough starter which if you do not have but would like to make, the instructions can be found here. It also needs to be started the night before so a bit of planning and forethought is needed here.
If you are pulling your starter out of the fridge to make this then you should consider doing this at least one day before you plan to stir the batter together. Depending on how much starter you keep on hand you may need to bulk the starter up with multiple feedings done over a day or so. What will be needed is a 1/2 cup of starter so please keep that in mind when the plan to devour sourdough waffles is hatched. If you are a regular sourdough baker then you most likely pull your starter out every week to make various things with anyways. This will just slide into your list of goodies to get stirred up.
I usually double the recipe and freeze the majority of these. They are very convenient to pop in the toaster and warm up straight out of the freezer for a quick accompaniment to a weekday smoothie. Or if you just have to have waffles and didn’t get the starter prepped or the batter mixed. Sometimes I omit the small amount of sugar altogether to make these a little more on the healthy side. I’ve never tried using whole wheat flour but I think that would be interesting!
Anyways these are the lightest, fluffiest, tastiest waffles I have ever made. The fact that they are fermented makes me feel less guilty about indulging in just one more waffle when I know I probably should’ve stopped two ago!. The fermentation also makes these a much easier meal to digest. So, if you’re going to do waffles, why not make them the best waffles you can both in flavour and health!? I’m sure the kids will never know and your sweetie will enjoy them! I know my frozen bag of them mysteriously gets empty all on it’s own somehow….
Sourdough Waffles
Ingredients:
- 1/2 C stirred down sourdough starter
- 1 C all purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 C buttermilk (see note for dairy free)
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp melted butter (or coconut oil for dairy free)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Instructions:
The night prior to serving, stir together the sourdough starter with flour, sugar and buttermilk. Cover and let sit over night.
In the morning, preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
Add egg, melted butter, salt and baking soda to flour mixture. Stir to incorporate.
Pour 1/4 C mixture per waffle onto hot waffle iron. Adjust amount depending on size of waffle iron.
Place cooked waffles on a rack on a cookie sheet in preheated oven to keep warm prior to serving.
Serve with butter and maple syrup and some fresh fruit. Jams and jellies are also good alternatives to syrup.
note: “Buttermilk” recipe
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or lemon juice
Enough almond milk to add to the apple cider vinegar to equal 1 cup total liquid.
Whisk together and set aside for 5 minutes. Separation may occur and is normal. Stir and use.
I like to serve these with some fresh cut up fruit on the side dusted with some cinnamon and maple syrup. But you don’t need me to tell you how to enjoy your waffles. Eat them like you would any other waffle but with the satisfaction of knowing you’ve stepped it up in the health department too. I recently made a batch of my own cultured butter and ended up with enough real buttermilk for a double batch of these waffles. I used my very own homemade butter and buttermilk and the waffles were amazing! Find that recipe here!
Maybe you will keep it a secret, wake up before the house and have these ready to enjoy when you’re sleepy sweetie gets up. Or maybe you will have help in the preparations make these as a team. Maybe it’s something you will try just to see what happens and have the whole batch to yourself! How ever you choose to enjoy this Valentines Day I hope you feel happy and loved. Enjoy! xx