Favorite Recipes: Wood Fired Waffles

WOOD FIRED WAFFLES

When we launched on this solar powered, mid-lifeventure in Hamlet in 2012, our electric waffle iron didn’t make the cut.  It was simply too big and bulky for our tiny rig; we couldn’t justify the space that we would need for an appliance that we’d only use occasionally.  While visiting Hutch’s dear Aunt Martha in central Ohio one Thanksgiving, we started poking around the local Amish general store near her home and found the perfect thing that would put waffles back on the menu AND make them even more fun to make!  Our compact Amish Belgian waffle iron is made by NordicWare and can be used on a propane stove, our beloved OTZI grill, or on a traditional campfire grate.  No electricity needed, and it fits perfectly into a small space below our sink.

While you can certainly make waffles from a pre-made mix, this homemade version makes some of the best we have ever had…anywhere.  They’ve received rave reviews from those who have joined us for brunch.  Thanks for the recipe, Dad!  You were right when you said they were worth the work and anticipation.  With a prep time of about 30 minutes and rise time of at least 45 minutes, you definitely need to plan ahead, but you are guaranteed some really happy campers when these crispy, light waffles land on their plate!  These waffles are as perfect for a celebratory brunch, as they are for dinner or dessert.  Get creative with toppings and find your own waffle nirvana.  This recipe makes 4 large waffles.

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Ingredients
1 package fast rising yeast 
2 cups lukewarm milk (soy milk works well too)
4 eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

Toppings...have fun with this!  We often make them for a special dessert, topped with whatever fresh / canned fruit we happen to have with us, or even Nutella & whipped cream.  

Instructions
Sprinkle yeast over warm milk, stir to dissolve.  Beat egg yolk and add to yeast mixture with vanilla.  Stir together flour, salt, and sugar; add to liquid ingredients.  Stir in melted coconut oil and combine thoroughly.  Beat the egg whites until stiff; carefully fold into batter.  Let the mixture stand in a warm place for about 45 minutes or until the mixture doubles in bulk.  

Heat both side of waffle iron on flame. Using 3/4-1 cup mix per waffle, pour on to one side.  Close up the waffle iron and wait a few minutes to check on the waffle. When one side is nearly cooked, flip it over to cook the other.  Heat up fruit (or serve fresh) and/or maple syrup while cooking the waffles.

Just a note about using the OTZI grill for making these waffles.  We like to use real wood over charcoal because we prefer the control that we can have over the fire’s heat.  We prep the cooking area with a good supply of skinny pieces of wood, split from well-cured firewood, more than we think we’ll need.  This way we can just pop in a few more pieces when we need to.  If using gathered firewood, we try to get a good pile of thumb-sized sticks that can easily be snapped to the right size.  Enjoy!