Moms Fluffy and Yummy Waffles

I love waffles. When we moved from Ontario back to Alberta we made sure that we booked hotels that had a breakfast included in the room price.

This was for a couple of reasons; first, so that we didn't have to try and find breakfast in 5 different cities, second, so we didn't have to budget any more meals in to our adventure and third, so I could eat waffles. Well, maybe that was just a bonus but often hotels with continental breakfast have a waffle maker. I ate waffles every morning I could. 

I have been wanting a waffle iron for a while but every time I would mention it to Aaron he would make some comment about how I didn't need more kitchen appliances, or where would I store a waffle iron? Those concerns meant nothing to me but I still never went and got myself one. This year though I think I must have mentioned it a little more often than usual because when his sister asked him what to get me for my birthday (the big 3-0!) he told her a waffle iron and guess what? She got me one! YAY!!!!

As soon as I could (as in as soon as I went and bought milk) we had waffles. My mom gave me her recipe that she swears in the best and I have to agree with her. 

What do you think?

Mom's Fluffy and Yummy Waffles

2 Eggs

2c of Milk (go buy some right now if you need to)

2c of All Purpose Flour

1 TBSP of Baking Powder

1/2 tsp of Salt

1/3c of Cooking Oil (I use Canola)

1 TBSP of White Sugar

Ok, these take a little bit of work but they are worth it.

Separate your eggs. 

Beat the egg whites until stiff and set aside.

Mix yolks with the remaining ingredients and then gently fold in your egg whites. 

Cook as directed for your waffle iron. 

Aaron informed me when I told him we were eating waffles for dinner that night that he didn't want to have plain old syrup on his waffles. Well, okay then! When I was growing up my mom would make waffles and my favorite way to eat them was with vanilla ice cream on top. It would get all soft and melty and be so delicious. Sometimes I would add strawberries or other fruit to the sweet meal but usually I stuck with just the ice cream. But of course I didn't have ice cream, so I got creative...

Hot Vanilla Syrup

2c of Milk

2 TBSP of White Sugar

2 tsp of Vanilla

2 tsp of Corn Starch

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until it comes to a boil, stirring the whole time as milk can scorch.  Turn heat down and simmer until it reaches desired thickness. 

This was so yummy and subtle.  It was so good when it was also served with the strawberry syrup I made...

Fruit Syrup for Waffles of Pancakes

2c of frozen fruit (I made two kinds, strawberry and blueberry)

1 TBSP of White Sugar (feel free to add more if you want your syrup sweeter)

2 TBSP of Corn Starch 

Follow the same directions as used for the vanilla syrup: 

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until it comes to a boil, stirring often.  Turn heat down and simmer until it reaches desired thickness. 

I cooked my waffles while I was making these syrups and while it was a little crazy, it was one of the best meals I've had in a very long time! Thanks Chel!

I'm Ashamed (and Quinoa Greek Salad)

I know I said I was back before. But I unintentionally lied. Sorry. I really didn't mean to abandon you and myself because really, I started this blog originally for me to keep track of the vegetarian recipes that I had made. I've been thinking about getting back to blogging food for a while but the truth is that I really haven't been cooking the way that I did before we moved home. I have been in a bad food rut.

I think it began with the move and being in transition for so long between leaving Ontario and getting settled here at home and then I got pregnant with Simon which then ended in a c-section and then school started again and ballet and soccer and and and ... here we are.

But I really haven't meant to be such a food slacker or a food blogging slacker. I've actually been walking around saying things like "I want to have something to be passionate about" and "I used to have things that made me excited, what were they?" It sounds a little pathetic but then my vegetarian sister came to visit and I realized that I really like cooking vegetarian meals, and eating beans so I'm back! My life is a little nuts but honestly, I haven't stopped taking pictures of meatless dinners around here so I am going to actually get said pictures blogged and keep also get back to trying new recipes and getting them blogged here. So...here I go!

This is a recipe from back in the spring but that we eat often. 

I love Greek food. This love started in High School when I had a friend whose family had a Greek restaurant. We would meet there on the weekend, eat tzatziki and pita, break plates and then go on with our night. Oh, I'd love some tzatziki right now. 

Quinoa Greek Salad

I really don't have an exact recipe for this...

Cook 1cup of Quinoa (I cook mine in my rice cooker with water, not broth)

While it is cooking, chop up 

1/2 a cucumber

1 tomato

 and open a can of chickpeas or grab some precooked ones from your freezer (I cook my beans and legumes in large quantities and then freeze them in 1 cup portions).

You will also need

1 cup of crumbled feta cheese

1/2 of a red onion sliced 

and kalamata olives (which I often omit because I don't love 'em)

oh, and if you want some chopped green pepper, about 1/2 cup. 

ok, put all of these ingredients into a bowl (a large bowl).

Now it is time to make some dressing.

3 TBSP of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 1/2 TBSP of Lemon Juice

1 clove of Garlic or 1 tsp of Minced Garlic

1/2 tsp of dried Oregano

1/4 tsp of Sea Salt (I love sea salt and even was able to visit an island in France to see how it is harvested)

1/4 tsp of Black Pepper (fresh is best)

Whisk these ingredients all together until completely mixed . You can also shake them up in a tightly closed container which could be a fun job if you want to involve your kids in making meals. 

Pour your dressing over your vegetables and Quinoa and serve. I have used this as a side before and also served it as a main meal by eating it in wraps with lettuce and tzatziki sauce which is my favorite way to enjoy it.