WAFFLES: QUICK BREADS A food favorite with a history. The first waffle is said to have been made in 13th century England. A crusader wearing his armor accidentally sat in some freshly baked oat cakes. The cakes were flattened and bore deep imprints of the steel links. Despite this, he spread butter on the cakes and ate them. His wife, delighted with the way butter stayed in the imprints from the armor, made him put it on once a week and sit on fresh oat cakes. They were called "wafres," meaning flat honeycomb-like cakes. Dutch colonists brought their cherished "waffle" irons to America. They were long handled and very heavy to hold over an open fire. HOW TO MAKE WAFFLES 1. Pour batter onto center of hot waffle iron. 2. Lift off waffle carefully with fork. Waffles Crisp pancakes with tucks in them. See color picture page 84. Typical Waffles 2 eggs 2 cups buttermilk or soured milk (see p. 26) 1 tsp. soda 2 cups GOLD MEDAL Flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 6 tbsp. soft shortening (fresh bacon fat is good) Heat waffle iron while mixing batter. If no automatic heat control, test by sprinkle ling grids with drops of water. If water "skitters around" before evaporating, iron is just right. Beat eggs well. Measure flour by dip-level-pour method or by sifting (see p. 6). Beat in remaining ingredients with rotary-beater until smooth. Pour from cup or pitcher onto center of hot waffle iron. Spread to cover surface. Do not keep iron open longer than necessary. Bake until steaming stops. Lift carefully with fork. Serve hot with butter and syrup. Makes 8 waffles. Richer Waffles 3 eggs 2 1/4 cups buttermilk or soured milk (see p. 26) 1 tbsp. sugar 3 1/4 cups GOLD MEDAL Flour 1/2 tsp. soda 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup soft shortening (fresh bacon fat is good) Makes 10. Sweet Milk Waffles Make either recipe (above)—except omit soda and increase baking powder to 4 tsp.; substitute sweet milk for soured milk; and separate eggs. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold in last. Blueberry Waffles Make Richer Waffles (above)—except sprinkle 2 tbsp. fresh blueberries or well drained canned blueberries over batter as soon as it has been poured onto iron. Bake. Nut Waffles These are good with butter and syrup but a special treat for dessert with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Make either recipe (above)—except sprinkle 2 tbsp. coarsely cut or broken toasted nuts over batter as soon as it has been poured onto iron. Bake. Cheese-and-Bacon Waffles Make Typical Waffles (above)—except fold 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese into batter. Pour onto iron. Lay short strip of bacon across batter. Bake. Raised Waffles See p. 124. 94