Basic Waffles

Waffles are one of my favorite comfort foods.  Not feeling well:  eat waffles.  Bad day at work: waffles for dinner.  Hungry for fried chicken:  serve with waffles.  They are so versatile - you can make them savory or sweet by just adding seasoning of your choice and altering what or how you serve them.  Waffle sundaes with ice cream and whip cream?  Yes please!  But in all seriousness - here is my go-to waffle recipe.  Prepare as is and serve with some breakfast meat and syrup and enjoy.  Or, get crazy - and experiment with seasoning or add-ins of your choice (chocolate chips or how about some orange zest and serve with a minted glaze)!  Please note:  my photo might look more like pancakes, but it's not . . .it's my Mickey Mouse waffle machine.

Basic Waffles

Yield:  6-8 Average Round Waffles

Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 Cups Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

2 Eggs

1 and 1/2 Cups Milk

1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

Step 1:  To prepare the batter, add the flour, baking powder and salt to a large bowl.  Stir.

Step 2:  To the bowl, now add the eggs, milk and oil.  Stir until smooth.

Step 3:  Cook in a prepared waffle iron according the manufacturer's instructions.  Enjoy!

Asian Lettuce Cups

I am a sucker for Asian food.  Honestly, I really am.  And it is the one type of cuisine our family can always agree upon.   These lettuce cups are soooooooooo good . . .and not unhealthy either!  Very easy and quick to make with all the good Asian flavors.  Yum.  This can easily be served as a meal or an appetizer for a party.  Furthermore, you can make it with pork, chicken or turkey.  It's definitely versatile that way!

Asian Lettuce Cups

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil

1 Pound Ground Pork

3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 Small White Onion, Diced

1/4 Cup Hoisin Sauce

2 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce

1 Tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Fresh Grated Ginger

1 Teaspoon Chile Garlic Paste (or Sriracha)

1 (8-ounce) Can Water Chestnuts, Drained and Diced

2 Green Onions, Thinly Sliced

Chopped Nuts (Peanuts or Cashews) - Optional

1 Head Boston Bibb Lettuce, Cleaned and Separated

Step 1:  In a large fry pan, add the sesame oil, ground pork, garlic and white onion.  Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. 

Step 2:  Once the pork is cooked through, add in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, grated ginger, chile garlic paste and water chestnuts.  Stir to combine and let cook until the liquid is mostly absorbed and chestnuts are heated through.

Step 3:  To assemble, place a spoonful of ground meat on a lettuce leaf and top with green onion and nuts.  Enjoy!