Springtime Strawberry Belgian Waffles

I hadn't really noticed that spring was springing up on me. Yesterday I took my two charges to the park, bundled up in hooded sweatshirts and thick wooly knee socks. It turned out to be 80 degrees. The other park children, the ones with sensible mothers, were running around in tshirts, shorts, and sockless flip flop feet, covered in a prudent layer of sunscreen. I wore a turquoise cardigan, jeans and my newish hot pink trench coat that I bought at tar-jay and just love to pieces. Not many minutes had passed before I was forced to strip down the layers, even my newish hot pink trench coat that I love to pieces, and put on my sunglasses, roll up my jeans, take off my shoes and socks. And it struck me that spring has really sprung. It's really official on Friday, the proper first day of spring. It makes me want to climb up an apple tree, fly a kite, plant some seeds, and roll around in the grass-or at the very least watch my charges do these things. Spring is the most lighthearted but fleeting of all the seasons, so why not celebrate its arrival with a happy-go-lucky breakfast of strawberry belgian waffles? And I'm not packing up my newish trench coat just yet; the weather is dipping back down on Sunday. All the more reason to enjoy the strawberry flavor of spring sunshine while it lasts!

Money Saving Tips: Skip going out for breakfast and save money by making this inexpensive breakfast at home. Waffles are made from inexpensive basics, like flour, eggs, and of course some butter for nice crispy edges. If you're short on time, you could always whip up a waffle mix and I'm sure no one will complain. Shop around for strawberries on sale. I paid 1.99 and it was worth every penny.

Strawberry Belgian Waffles

Estimated Cost: $6.00 for about 6 waffles and strawberries

Notes: It isn't absolutely necessary to separate the eggs and beat the whites, but the waffles will be extra light and crispy if you do.

1 and 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon soda

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1/2 cup melted butter

1 and 1/2 cups buttermilk or milk

strawberries, maple or pancake syrup, whipped cream for serving

In a medium bowl. combine flour, powder, soda, sugar and salt. In a separage bowl, combine egg yolks, butter, and milk. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add butter mixture very gently to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Add egg whites and very very very gently stir into mixture. (It's Ok to have a few white streaks in the batter.) Cook according to the directions on your waffle maker. Serve with strawberries, syrup and whipped cream.

Next Up:

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