Belgian Waffles

Emeril's recipe, apparently. Really good. Although, I couldn't get mine crisp enough...


Ingredients

* 2 cups cake flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 4 large eggs, separated
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
* 2 cups milk
* non-stick cooking spray

Directions

Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. In 1 medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a second bowl use the wooden spoon to beat together the egg yolks and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and eggs have turned a pale yellow. Add the vanilla extract, melted butter, and milk to the eggs and whisk to combine. Combine the egg-milk mixture with the flour mixture and whisk just until blended. Do not over mix. In third bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Using the rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the waffle batter. Do not overmix! Coat the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour enough batter in iron to just cover waffle grid. Close and cook as per manufacturer's instructions until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Inside-Out Sandwich Wands

serves:4
ingredients

* 4 slices roast turkey
* 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
* 1/4 cup dried cranberries
* 4 thick grissini bread sticks, about 6 inches long
* 1 piece fruit leather, cut into 4 strips

directions

1. Lay a turkey slice on a clean, dry surface. Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese on it. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cranberries.
2. Lay breadstick across short side of turkey. Roll turkey around breadstick and secure with fruit leather tied in a knot. Repeat.

Chef's Tip: If you can’t find thick grissini bread sticks, try using two thinner ones. Pretzel rods and twisted cheese sticks are other great picks. Or try using sliced ham, cream cheese and pineapple pieces (or any of your favourite ingredients)

Wicked-Good Pizza Muffins

serves:Makes 12 muffins

time:about 25 minutes
ingredients

* 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar
* 1 tbsp (15 mL) baking powder
* 1 tsp (5 mL) each salt and dried basil
* 1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
* 1 cup (250 mL) tiny cubes old orange cheddar
* 1 cup (250 mL) plain yogurt
* 2 eggs
* 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, melted
* 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped red or green sweet pepper (optional)
* 1/4 cup (50 mL) pizza sauce
* 1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded mozzarella

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, basil and baking soda until combined. Stir in cheddar cubes.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, eggs and butter until smooth. Stir into flour mixture just until well combined and no dry spots remain; stir in sweet pepper (batter will be very thick). Spoon batter into muffin cups, dividing evenly. Spoon 1 tsp (5 mL) pizza sauce on top of each muffin; sprinkle each with shredded mozzarella.
3. Bake about 20 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in centre of one of middle muffins comes out clean. Let muffins cool in pan at least 5 minutes before removing, then let cool completely on a wire rack. (Freeze muffins in an airtight container for up to 1 month; defrost at room temperature.)

Grab-and-Go Mixed Fruit Burrito

serves:4

time:15 minutes
ingredients

* 1 tbsp granulated sugar
* 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
* 4 store-bought 9-inch crêpes (10 to a package)
* 4 tsp smooth peanut butter or cream cheese
* 2 bananas diced
* 1 pear halved, cored and cut lengthwise into 12 pieces
* 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
* 1/4 cup raisins
* 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

directions

1. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl; set aside.
2. Lay crêpes out on a flat, dry surface. Spread 1 teaspoon peanut butter on one side of each crêpe. In centre of each crêpe, mound equal portions of banana, pear, blueberries and raisins. Place 2 tablespoons yogurt on top. Dust with a pinch of reserved cinnamon sugar.
3. Wrap crêpes one at a time: Fold each side in towards middle. Fold bottom of crêpe over filling and roll it up tightly; repeat with remaining crêpes.

Cheesy Ham and Spinach Muffins

serves:12 servings
time:40 minutes, plus the bread needs to soak up the egg mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight.

• 4 cups cubed whole wheat bread (for extra flavour, bread cubes may be toasted)
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped baby spinach
• 4 oz cooked ham, divided into ¼-inch cubes
• 5 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1. Toss bread, cheese, spinach and ham together in a bowl. Divide evenly between 12 greased muffin cups.
2. In a bowl, whisk remaining ingredients together. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Bake in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes or until set. Let cool 5 minutes before removing muffins.