The Waffles were made today. They were supposed to be for breakfast, but we both slept in and instead made them after breakfast. My family got a waffle maker for christmas this year and…

I had been eager to use it for the first time. I couldn’t leave for Ottawa before giving it a shot.  Along the waffle-making way, I modified the recipe by adding a splash of Vanilla Extract and several pinches of Cinnamon. Andy and I agreed, that next time, more cinnamon should be added. It is quite a subtle flavour. Maybe we could add apples in the future too! mmmm. apple cinnamon. I can dream for another day of great breakfast.

After finishing the last of the batter, Andrew and I enjoyed a waffle after breakfast dessert. We topped them with Maple Syrup, Freshly cut strawberries and cantaloupe and french vanilla ice cream.

Anyway, during my week off I had a lot of time on my hands. So I enjoyed it by cooking and baking all sorts of treasures. Some never to be made again, others to improve and several that made it in my good books. There are too many recount all in one post, so I will add them with time. I don’t want anyone, including myself, to overdose on some wonderful recipes.

My first day off started with Banana Walnut Pancakes — taken from www.joythebaker.com

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, separated
1/4 cup oil
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Mix dry ingredients, except walnuts. Mix the wet ingredients, except the banana,  into the dry ingredients. Then leave the batter alone for 5 minutes (to thicken).
Add banana and walnuts, folding gently.
Egg whites: beat them in a bowl with an electric mixture to create stiff peaks. (I mixed for a good 5 minutes or more..not really sure if I got them into stiff peaks..) Fold them gently into the batter.

Separating the eggs makes the pancakes light and fluffier.

In a frying pan, brush it with oil, heat medium low and add the batter in batches (see image above). Cook them pancakes until bubbles begin to form and the edges start to look dry. Flip with a spatula until the other side is golden and cooked through (usually goes faster). This will give the pancakes nice crisp ridges. Leaving the heat relatively low may take a little longer to make the pancakes, but it is worth the wait.

I ate them with Maples Syrup and later added strawberries. YUM. Next time I will eat with berries at the beginning.

My rating 8/10. (I did not put full 1/4 cup of walnuts, I’m sure it would have tasted better with more. Also plan to eat with at least 2 or more people)

1/2 of 2/3 cup Milk
1 egg
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
less than 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 pieces of bread

Mix all the ingredients together (except for the bread). Soak the bread in the mixture. On medium heat, add butter or oil to a frying pan. Then add the soaked bread to the pan. Brown it on both sides.

I drizzled them with maple syrup. They were great tasting, but a bit mushy. If I were to make it again I would add less milk.

double it for two people.