The Perfect Waffle

Add some blueberries for a delicious morning eat

I love a good waffle, and there are some great box mixes, like Bisquick. But making a waffle from scratch is really easy. If you bake, at all, you have waffle ingredients. So next time you are at the store, don't waste money on the mix. Just use what you have in your cupboard. (PS... I got a new rotating waffle iron and I couldn't wait to use it!)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar (I usually do half brown and half granulated)
2/3 cups canola oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups whole milk

*Trick of the Trade* --> If you have dry, crumbly brown sugar that has small lumps in it, use it in this recipe and try to not break up the lumps. This way, a pocket of sugar will cook and melt in the waffles, giving you this rich, caramel bite. Delicious!

Make sure, as you make this mix, your waffle iron is on and heating. And make sure its clean! Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

Properly incorporate these ingredients by whisking them together. Add the wet ingredients into a different bowl: oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Whisk these together, also till properly incorporated. Pour the wet into the dry and mix together, making sure not to over mix. A few lumps are fine. Spray waffle iron with non stick spray or rub with butter. Pour in waffle batter, only enough to coat the bottom iron (these will expand and fill the whole waffle iron). Time: cook according to waffle instructions. Add some melted butter and syrup. Enjoy!

Waffles are a BLANK canvas. For this weekend's tailgate, I decided to make blueberry and chocolate waffles. But you can do anything. Add some cinnamon, nutmeg, and diced apples to the mix. How about strawberries! You can even break up candy bars, or use Reese's Pieces. My all time favorite; add some crispy cooked bacon.

What is great about waffles too is EVERYONE can have what they want. Try setting up a waffle bar for a party or an at home football celebration. All you have to do is make the mix, make a few toppings, and tell people to go to town. Have a bevy of fresh fruit out on the table, diced into small pieces. All someone has to do it pour the batter, add the toppings, and close the iron. Instant favorite waffle!

Brody in his jersey and ready for the game

Its easier to cook when two handsome men are helping you