Growing up we are always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Of course there are some that find that sitting down and eating so early in the morning is a waste of time.  These people clearly have never had the luxury of waking up to homemade Chocolate Chip Waffles topped with freshly sliced strawberries and whipped cream wafting the entire house.

Although some days are tougher than others it is always great to at least try and enjoy a nice relaxing breakfast with the family where no rushing or speeding out the door is necessary.

Trust me… after these delicious waffles are prepared you may just find yourself staying home and cozying up on that big plush sofa of yours with a good book.

Hope you enjoy as much as mine did!

Prepare your mise en place… all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, unsalted butter, sugar, and mini chocolate chips.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

Separate the 2 eggs and put all of the egg whites (3 total) in a large bowl.

In a large liquid measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, vanilla and 1/4 cup melted butter.  Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until a batter is formed.  Take care not to over-mix the batter.

Whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until they just begin to hold a loose peak.  Scatter the sugar over the whites and continue beating until they hold a soft peak.  Fold a third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten the base, then fold in the remaining whites.  Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Preheat a waffle iron to medium high.  Brush the inside surface of the waffle iron with melted butter.  Pour in enough batter to barely fill each hole of the waffle iron (keeping in mind that the batter will spread once the lid is closed).  Close the iron and cook until crisp and the waffle iron stops steaming, or light goes off.  Takes about 5 minutes.

Serve fresh off the waffle iron or transfer to a dish in the oven heated to 200 degrees F.  Repeat with the remaining batter.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Waffles

(adapted from Food Network Kitchens)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 large egg white, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups milk, at room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus more for brushing the iron
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup mini-chocolate chips

Directions:
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

Separate the 2 eggs and put all of the egg whites (3 total) in a large bowl.

In a large liquid measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, vanilla and 1/4 cup melted butter.  Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until a batter is formed.  Take care not to over-mix the batter.

Whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until they just begin to hold a loose peak.  Scatter the sugar over the whites and continue beating until they hold a soft peak.  Fold a third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten the base, then fold in the remaining whites.  Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Preheat a waffle iron to medium high.  Brush the inside surface of the waffle iron with melted butter.  Pour in enough batter to barely fill each hole of the waffle iron (keeping in mind that the batter will spread once the lid is closed).  Close the iron and cook until crisp and the waffle iron stops steaming, about 5 minutes.  Serve as the waffles come off the iron or transfer to a dish in the oven heated to 200 degrees F.  Repeat with the remaining batter.

Enjoy!

 Remember last week when I asked you all if you had any rarely used appliances that were just sitting in your  kitchen collecting dust.  Thanks to Real Simple has definitely come up with great ideas for all kinds of  appliances…

 We discussed the other uses you can get with a Milk Shake Machine and I definitely think we cam up with some  very cool ideas.  This week we are talking about The Waffle Iron.

 Do you know what other uses you can get with a waffle iron?

 If not here are a few…

  - Make a Grilled Cheese,  Butter two slices of multigrain bread on one side with 1 teaspoon butter (or coat the  iron with vegetable cooking spray). Place 1 slice of cheese in the center of the iron, buttered-side down. Top with  another slice of cheese cheese and 1 slice of tomato, if using, and cover with the remaining slice of bread,  buttered-side up. Close the lid firmly and cook until golden, 2 to 4 minutes.

 I know that my kids LOVE grilled cheese sandwiches and can’t get enough out of them.

 - Try a Calzone,  Roll out two rounds of pizza dough. Place one on the hot iron, top it with whatever you like,  then add the second round of dough. Close the lid firmly and cook until the dough is golden, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve  with a bowl of pasta sauce for dipping.

 Can you think of any other things you can make with a waffle maker?

 (please list below)

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