How To Make Perfect Waffles With A Waffle Maker
10 Steps Towards A Perfect Waffles
Waffles are a real treat, and so what better thing to have than an easy guide to using a waffle maker. The following isn’t a comprehensive guide but an initial guide to making perfect waffles. Hopefully, you’ll be enjoying them before too long, reaping the benefits that electric griddles afford.
1. Better batter
A waffle maker alone cannot affect the butter or oil content of your batter. In order to ensure that your waffles don’t stick to the hot plates, simply increase the butter or oil ratio in your batter. That should do the trick.
2. Whites from Yolks
In order to get a fluffier, lighter inner core to your waffle, ensure that you separate your yolks, beating them separately before adding them to your batter mixture. Then, separately beat your whites and add that whisked texture into your final batter mixture. This should result in the desired outcome.
3. Easy does it
A waffle batter needs the right level of treatment – nothing too violent. If you over-whisk then you’ll end up with the flour turning into gluten and a tougher, chewier end product. Using a rubber spatula, tenderly, and gradually mix up the dry with the wet ingredients until you achieve the smooth texture that will result in delicious waffles.
4. Buttermilk
Buttermilk crops up on a lot of various waffle recipes you might see floating around; however, it’s one of those things you’re not likely to have unless you particularly go out of your way to purchase it. Instead, you can go ahead and use regular cow’s milk, but with a tablespoon of lemon juice, even vinegar! 15 minutes of standing time should suffice in order for the acidic properties to make the milk curdle. No buttermilk? No problem.
5. Lid lifting
Your waffle maker will generally have an indicator light or some kind of beeper. Stick to it, otherwise, you could end up ripping your waffle because it is not yet fully formed. A partially formed, half-waffle is, perhaps, better than no waffle. But better still is a waffle that is fully intact.
6. Steam
It might be the case that your waffle maker doesn’t have an indicator light to show when it is done. Never mind – the steam acts as a natural indicator; when the steam stops the waffle is done. Conversely, when the steam is still coming, your waffle has a little way to go before it is ready.
7. Final touch
The final in some people’s eyes might be a light sprinkling of cinnamon or chocolate powder. However, for a nice crisp edge and to be able to make multiple waffles for a group, consider having your oven on standby, to receive the waffles which are completed from your waffle-maker. By putting each waffle into your oven set at 250 degrees F, you can get a conveyor-belt of waffles under way, enough to feed a whole group with wonderfully crisp waffles with a succulent, fluffy core.
8. Waste not
Waste not, want not, or so the saying goes. If you end up with surplus waffles, the best thing to do is to freeze them. You can slot them between sheets of wax paper and put a bunch of them in a freezer bag. At some future point in time defrost them by leaving them out for ten minutes, then heat them at 300 degrees F for a mere five minutes (or toast them if your toaster can accommodate them). You should never let a good waffle go to waste.
9. Clean up operation
It is imperative that you use a rubberized utensil to remove each waffle from the waffle maker. You must avoid using sharp, metallic cutlery; over time it will significantly damage the surface of your waffle maker’s hot plates. You should also never use steel wool or a scouring pad for the same reason. If you’re left with some annoying batter residue that has hardened, add a bit of cooking oil, wait for around five minutes then use a paper towel to remove any lingering, hardened batter.
10. No-Nos
Never submerge your entire waffle maker in water; it has electrical components that could get irreparably damaged if you do this. It might be the case, though, that your waffle maker has removable plates that can be separately washed. Don’t attempt to clean it at all while it is still hot; you might end up suffering bits of spitting water jumping up and burning your skin. Avoid using soap to clean your baking plates, unless the manufacturer’s instructions permit it; usually, oil is the only thing that ought to go on a non-stick surface. Avoid using cooking spray instead of oil, because it can create a gummy residue that will affect your waffle maker’s performance.
Well, that’s enough waffle. Time to enjoy your waffle making; and more importantly, your scrumptious waffles!
Source:
- 5 Tips For Whipping Up Wonderful Waffles – Escoffier