Belgian waffles?

[krhm]

My husband got a belgian waffle maker for Christmas, and while I love the waffles, the only recipes we have are so fattening. Internet search results have only produced recipes with 1 stick of butter or 1/2 cup of oil. Experiments with eliminating some of that fat have resulted in total failure! Does anyone have a reliable, low-fat and low-calorie Belgian waffle recipe (I'd love a chocolate version too!)? I'd be forever in your debt!!

[Grace]

My husband LOVES Belgian waffles. We make them A LOT around here! I order Carbon's (that's the brand name) Belgian Waffle mix, directly from the company. Here's the link if you're interested.
http://www.goldengourmet.com/products.html

It is a low-fat mix, and you add low-fat buttermilk, 1 tblsp. oil and 1 egg (I just checked the website - their recipe says to use water instead of buttermilk, and 2 tblsp. melted butter instead of 1 tblsp oil, but the guy I met from the company told me to use buttermilk instead of water, and I took it upon myself to substitute the oil for the butter and cut it back to 1 tblsp. It works out fine). Anyhow, it is the mix that many restaurants use (they mostly sell big foodservice bags of the stuff, but they do sell a little bit of retail packaging).

I get it from the internet site, but I have seen it in stores here and there (like Williams-Sonoma carries it, but I imagine it would be more expensive).

As far as homemade waffles go, I have a few recipes that are low-fat, Sweet Potato waffles and Whole-Wheat Yeast Waffles. They're good, but they won't give you that light, crispy, fluffy "Belgian" waffle that you are used to getting in a restaurant. The only thing I've found that gives me that is the mix. Let me know if you'd like me to post the other recipes, though!


[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 04-06-2001).]

[Vanessa]

In 1996 Eating Well had a great article on breakfasts (cover was a waffle thats why I could find it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)This is the recipe they featured:
The Lord's Proprietor's Inn
(located in Edenton, NC)
WAffles
2 large eggs separated
1 c low fat milk
1/2 c non fat plain yogurt
2 tab veg oil (canola)
2 tab sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
2 tsp b powder
1/2 tsp b soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 large egg whites
Preheat waffle iron. In mixing bowl whisk together egg yolks,milk,yogurt, oil, sugar and vanila til smooth. In another bowl combine flour, b soda, b powder and salt. Add dry ing to milk mixture and whisk until smooth.
In clean mixing bowl beat 4 egg whites until stiff but not dry. Whisk 1/4 of the beaten whites into the batter to lighten it then fold in the remaining egg whites.
Brush the preheated waffle iron lightly with oil. Fill the iron 2/3 full. Cook until crisp and golden about 5 mins. REpeat with remaining batter brushing surface with oil before each batch.
You can serve with orange syrup if desired
Makes 16 waffles (8 servings)
175 calories per waffle, 7 grams protein, 5 grams fat 24 grams carbo 323 mg sodium 55 mg cholesterol

Orange syrup
2 1/2 c orange juice
2 c light brown sugar
1 tsp grated orange zest
In saucepan combine ing. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook 30 mins until syrup is reduced by half. This can be made 1 week ahead and refrigerate. If desired strain through a fine sieve to remove pulp. Serve warm. You can use tangerine juice or half orange half grapefruit juice for a variation
8 servings (2 cups)
240 calories per 1/4 c serving 1 gram protein, 0 gram fat, 61 gram carbo, 17 mg sodium o cholesterol

[Curleytop]

I have been buying KRUSTEAZ Belgian Waffle Mix in Ralph's or Von's Pavillions. For 2 -3 7" waffles you add 1 egg and 3 tbs oil and 3/4 c of water. You can use egg substitute and I use light olive oil. I got it for about $1.99 for the box. I have had a belgian waffle maker for years, it is the kind you use on the burner on the stove, not electric. It is much faster than the electric regular waffle maker that I have.

[Leonard]

I make homemade waffles at least once a week. Here's the recipe I use. Quick and easy to remember:

WAFFLE BATTER

1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 TB. melted butter (optional) sometimes I omit it!

Mix all together in a bowl. Heat iron. Measure approx. 1 cup for 4 grids! Cook 6 minutes!

[jms0310]

I see there are some waffle recipes that may not be belgian waffles. Does anyone know what the difference is between regular waffles & belgian waffles? I love belgian waffles and am curious why they taste so different.
Jessica

[Leslie w]

I would imagine the batter is the same, it's just thicker because of the waffle iron. I can't really taste the difference. Homemade waffles are awesome in general. Thanks for the low fat recipes because I've been looking for them!!!

[krhm]

MMMM...thank you all so much! I'm going to have trouble sleeping tonight because I'll be thinking about breakfast!

[AD]

Belgian waffles are different not only in the iron shape but in the preparation. They include whipped egg whites separated from the yolks, giving the batter a very airy texture. I prefer thick, dense waffles with just a bit more flour than liquid. Also, I hate waffles made with oil. I have to use butter. I also like a good bit of sugar and vanilla extract in the batter.

[Beth]

If you live near a Cost Plus store, they also sell the waffle mix Grace posted about. I discovered that right after ordering 2 cans, but we're nearly through the first one.

[Anne]

Our favorite Belgian waffles are sourdough.
2 cups sourdough (pretty thick, not pourable)
1 TB canola oil
1/2 to 1 Tb honey
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 scant to 1 full tsp soda disolved in a bit of warm water (amount depends on sourness of sourdough).
These make excellent light waffles and by using sourdough you don't have to beat and fold in eggwhites. We generally use mostly wholewheat flour.
All ingredients except the soda in water are mixed together in a 4 qt pyrex mixing pitcher with a wooden spoon. When everything is well mixed, add the soda water and stir - mixture will double or more in size. Start cooking immediately.
We usually top these with fresh grated apples in winter or fresh berries in season.