A Simple Waffle Iron Is Actually a Multi-Dish Cooking Device.
You should have the right tools in your kitchen. Welcome to The Guide to Outfitting Your Kitchen series , in which I help you outfit your space with all the small appliances you need (and ditch the ones you don’t need).
The waffle iron is an indispensable tool in my kitchen. Naturally, this allows me to make waffles, but that’s only part of the breakfast bread. Double plates of coordinated dimpled squares are a possibility. With a firm press on this electric kitchen appliance, you can add caramelization, texture and flavor to countless foods and even cook entire dishes. If you’ve ever seen breakfast bread pop out of a waffle iron, let me expand your world. A waffle iron is a device for preparing several dishes.
Watch this video to hear me explain:
Here are some of the top-rated waffle irons you can buy and a list of what to put between those plates first.
Buying a waffle iron
Before making waffles, you will need a waffle iron. When it comes to purchasing a waffle iron, you have several options. You can’t make a bad choice, so just trust your gut (and your budget).
Belgian waffle iron Presto Ceramic FlipSide
This machine produces classic Belgian waffles with deep pits and high sides. The general shape is round with four sectors. This model has a reversible handle with a handle so it’s discreet but can still make an impressive breakfast.
Mini waffle maker Dash
If you’re looking for something a little smaller and more economical than the typical Belgian giant, try this model, which cooks one tiny waffle at a time. Its small size fits easily in a cupboard and is ideal for quickly making sausage biscuits for one. But I’m getting ahead of myself – more on that later.
Krups breakfast set, large waffle iron
A large waffle iron may be better for you. It’s totally understandable when you need to feed a crowd, and once you look through this list of waffle ingredients, it turns out that bigger is better (it’s easier to fit a whole sandwich in there). This waffle maker can bake four square waffles at a time, giving you almost 12 inches of diagonal clear waffle space.
Waffle these items immediately.
Meat
I once moved into an apartment where it took about a month to get the gas stove working. This didn’t stop me from cooking home-cooked meals—after all, the electricity worked fine. I cooked chicken, steak, and sausage waffles to the perfect juicy, browned finish. Meat wafers the same way as if you were cooking them in a frying pan. Marinate or season first, then brush the waffle iron with oil (not with a spray can, as this may damage the non-stick coating ). Press the meat into a heated iron. If you’re using a particularly thick piece of chicken breast or steak, consider butterflying it or cutting it into smaller pieces before waffling. Use a meat thermometer to determine doneness.
Cheeses
Cheese is ideal, but processed cheese is a higher level of its existence. Cream cheese with crispy edges? This is cheese enlightenment. Cheese wafers are a great way to create lines and squares of delicious, crispy frico with a soft, gooey center. Moreover, waffle cheese couldn’t be simpler. Cheese contains a lot of its own fat, so you can simply heat up the iron, put a piece of cheese in there and close the waffle iron. Depending on the cheese and how crunchy you want it, the waffles will be ready in a minute or two. For more tips on making cheese waffles , read here .
Whole sandwich
You should sear the meat first to give it that delicious flavor, but after that you should sear the whole damn sandwich. This works especially well if you have semi-soft bread that you can spread with butter before pressing it with the iron. Then the mesh can be completely immersed in the soft crumbs of the slices, thoroughly browning the butter and making the toast crispy. Better yet, spread mayonnaise on the bread and press it into grated Parmesan cheese before wrapping it in the waffle. You’ll be rewarded with a crispy cheese crust on your sandwich.
Tofu
If you’ve ever wondered how to crush an entire packet of tofu, here it is: waffled tofu . This is another simple method (read the article for more on salting before waffles) that leaves you with a treat with the texture and typical dimples of a waffle—dimples that neatly top whatever sauce you like or sprinkle with sesame seeds. or chili chips that you spread on top.
Leftover pizza
Many people have been debating the best way to liven up cold, dry pizza for a long time, but I don’t think these people have tried making it yet. If they did, all debate would end. The crust can be re-fried and the creamy cheese fluffy again using a waffle iron. The trick is to bake two slices at the same time , like a pizza sandwich, with the crusts facing out. Here are the details and some tips to make your waffle pizza even better.
Cake dough in a box
It may be a step away from putting the waffle mixture in a waffle iron, but that’s the beauty of it: cake batter works great in this setting and produces tender, spongy cake waffles. Simply prepare the cake according to package directions, grease the waffle iron plates, and pour in some batter once the waffle iron is hot. In seven to ten minutes, depending on the size of the waffle, you will have a delicious waffle cake that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Leftover Mac and Cheese
The great thing about waffle mac and cheese is that leftover macaroni actually works best, making it the perfect solution for any hard, congealed leftovers that don’t tempt you anymore. Chop leftover pasta into pieces or simply drop a spoonful into the center of a hot waffle iron. Again, there’s no need to grease the waffle iron because the mac and cheese contains its own healthy oils. Press the top plate and listen to the sparkling and sizzling magic. Open the machine and claim your Freak-encrusted melted cheese prize.
Sausage biscuits
Sausage biscuit waffles aren’t exactly a sandwich, they’re more than just waffles with meat and carbs and butter. It’s a toast to lard, a tribute to the coming together of things because, when united, they make each other better. It’s very simple if you use canned biscuit dough and packaged but raw sausage. Preheat your waffle iron and press a circle of sponge dough into the center. Cover it with the sausage patty and press down. There is no need to grease the molds, since the biscuit dough and sausage will be covered in rendered pork fat. Serve the tender fried treat with a drizzle of maple syrup.
This is just a small part of the possibilities that your waffle iron opens up. Consider this the very beginning of your wandering journey. Try these delicious ideas, but don’t be afraid to branch out. You may have noticed a trend: bold stuff works best, and it’s all easy. When in doubt, brush the waffle iron plates with a little oil and you’re ready to make your waffles.