Do you know that Waffle Day is approaching?
When you think of waffles, what country springs to mind? The USA or maybe Belgium? Both countries are, of course, renowned for their waffles and in Belgium’s case, it’s in the name!
But, we actually have Sweden to thank for giving us waffle day. There it is known as ‘Vaffeldagen’. This is because it sounds similar to ‘Varfrudagen’, meaning ‘Our Lady’s Day’ or the Feast of the Annunciation which takes place on the 25th March to mark the beginning of spring. The Swedes now celebrate 25th March by eating waffles, which in their case are thinner than their Belgium cousins and shaped into hearts with a waffle iron.
The best thing about this dough-based treat is that it can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack or dessert – so they are very versatile indeed.
For example, the Swedes usually top their waffles with jam and cream and for a savoury topping they like cold-smoked salmon – yuk!
In Hong Kong, their waffles (which are cold grid cakes) are usually served with butter, peanut butter and sugar – coronary on a plate?
In Vietnam they use pandan flavouring and coconut milk in the batter, giving the waffle a distinctive spring green colour which are eaten plain.
For this week’s recipe we are have created an East meets West fusion, using Belgian style waffles served with crispy bacon (a nod to our cousins across the pond), cheese and a spicy Thai sauce.
But before we leave, here’s a waffle-inspired quiz question, name the brand of waffles that come with the slogan ‘waffly versatile’. Answers on a postcard please.
Crispy bacon, jalapeno and monetary jack waffle poppers
- Crispy Bacon:
- 1 pack of streaky smoked bacon
- 15g brown sugar
- 20g maple syrup
First you need to mix together the brown sugar and maple syrup. Then pour over the bacon before placing on a non-stick baking tray. To help you can place a sheet of greaseproof on top of that and then another tray to weigh it down. This will help the bacon to caramelise and get nice and crispy. Bake at 180c for around 10-15 minutes or until its crispy. You can then set this to one side.
- Maple sriracha dipping sauce:
- 300g sriracha
- 75g maple syrup
- Mix together in a bowl and set aside.
- Waffles:
- 30g melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 250g plain flour
- 7g baking powder
- 75g buttermilk
- 400ml whole milk
- 20g maple syrup
- 100g grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 jar of sliced jalapenos
First you take all the ingredients apart from the cheese and jalapenos and place them into a blender. You then blend until a smooth batter is formed. Following your waffle machine instructions(place your waffle machine on a plate as the batter leaks out) place a little batter in the waffle machine then top with the cheese, jalapenos and crispy bacon and then more batter until everything is covered. You can then cook your waffles until they are golden brown.
To serve cut the waffles into triangles and serve with the maple sriracha sauce, extra jalapenos if you like it spicy and an extra drizzle of maple syrup.
About Neil Shaefer
Marketing & Communications Executive of SK Foods.
Your food. Our Passion.
