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For the Food on Fridays carnival, any post remotely related to food is welcome—though we love to try new dishes, your post doesn’t have to be a recipe. We’re pretty relaxed over here, and stories and photos are as welcome as menus and recipes.When your Food on Fridays contribution is ready, just grab the broccoli button (My daughter doesn’t quite have the new one ready, and now a second daughter wants to battle it out by offering her own version! Until they’re ready, grab the big one above or smaller option at the bottom) to paste at the top of your post. It ties us together visually.Then fill in the boxes of this linky tool (Simply Linked wasn’t functional at the time of publication) to join the fun!
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Food on Fridays with Ann
Let’s conduct a little word association game. I’ll toss out a word, and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind.Ready?”Belgian.”What popped into your head?For people who know the country well, it might have been “beer.” For others, “chocolate.” Equestrians might think of Belgian draft horses.But when most Americans hear “Belgian,” they immediately think: “waffles.”Usually they envision the puffy square waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream, which are lovely, without a doubt. If you were visiting Belgium and wanted a puffy square waffle, ask for a gaufre de Bruxelles.
But in my opinion, the superior waffle to enjoy when visiting Belgium can be purchased on the streets of many cities (I’ve only bought them in Brussels) from vendors who cook up a sweet treat known as gaufre de Liège. Bite into one of these dense, doughy waffles and you’ll encounter one of many chunks of sugar that fill the center and caramelize on the outside to create a kind of glaze. Subtle sweetness fills each bite so perfectly that no additional toppings are needed.For a blissful moment, as you hold the warm gaufre in your hand—wrapped in a piece of paper so you can gratefully grip it—nothing else in the world is needed. You have a gaufre. La vie est belle. Thank the vendor (merci) and then stroll along the streets of Brussels (or Liège) nibbling your way through this unforgettable specialty.Back in 2005, we visited my husband’s family and took a stroll along the streets of Brussels with several sightseeing goals—one of which was to buy a Belgian waffle for each of the kids. And myself.In the photo below, you can see how they stack up a few and keep them warm; but a gaufre de Liège is best fresh from the waffle iron.
I haven’t had an authentic gaufre de Liege since the one I ate after snapping those pictures in 2005.Though last week I discovered that a stand at our own little farmer’s market has come close to perfecting the flavor and texture of a Belgian gaufre.
To avoid confusion for those who envision the puffy square waffles, they have coined these “Walking Waffles.” And they sell well.
Early in the morning, when the crowd is thick, the Walking Waffle folks are cooking them up as fast as they can.It’s pretty involved to make gaufre de Liege at home. For now, I’m relying on the Walking Waffle folks to satisfy my cravings.If, however, you feel ambitious (and tempted) enough to try this at home, have fun exploring the Internet for authentic recipes and tutorials like this one.Have a sweet weekend!Do you enjoy exploring and linking to carnivals of all kinds? Scroll down on this link to see a round-up of themes (listed by days of the week).
All photos by Ann Kroeker
Waffles in Belgium are so delicious. I’m lucky to have a husband who makes them as his specialty. Our son and I often wake up to the wonderful smell of waffles on weekends.
Oh! What recipe does he use? Would he share??
Walking waffles sounds cool. But I must tell you, the best-ever waffles we’ve ever had is at Norma’s in NYC- It is huge and has tons of fruit inside and out with a crackling creme brule topping. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=normas+nyc+waffles&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=gFbBlFS5RRhRYM:&imgrefurl=http://lindselicious.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-york.html&docid=yfbm0DavXEFEyM&w=1600&h=1195&ei=AU0pTvPiKdDpgQfhguj5Cg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=557&vpy=232&dur=1689&hovh=194&hovw=260&tx=159&ty=109&page=1&tbnh=128&tbnw=178&start=0&ndsp=58&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0&biw=1920&bih=956
I attached a photo. We’re going there for brunch on Sunday.
Although, a belgian waffle in Belgium is probably the best!
That does sound amazing, Bradley. Maybe we need to take on a fattening project: taste testing waffles in every breakfast or brunch place in every city in which we find ourselves?
I love waffles, but I’ve never been very good at making them. I generally just have them when I’m away from home. Great recipes this week, can’t wait to check them out! I posted the Frozen Mocha Frappuccino. Thanks for hosting!
Sounds like a fun thing to look forward to when you’re out! Thanks for linking up (sorry about switching linkies without warning).
The “gaufre de Liege” are also my favorites! I remember strolling the local market with my mom on Saturday mornings with a gaufre in my hand.
And most Saturdays, I would end up finishing my brothers’ gaufres as well! What a delight!
Yum! I guess buying my kids a gaufres from our Midwestern American farmer’s market is resulting in similar childhood memories to your European memories. How about that?
Oh how I love waffles!
Me, too…even ordinary American waffles.
I love waffles. I’ve always loved waffles. I think of them as one of the basic food groups.
Bottom of the pyramid! Foundational.
My husband recently purchased a terrific waffle maker like those in hotels that you turn over half way through. His are wonderful, but I suppose they are American waffles. We put jam and syrup on ours.
Mmmmmmm…sounds like a wonderful treat! Probably the Belgians come to America craving those. 🙂
This is great. I have a house full of girls (birthday sleepover) and my daughter want waffles for breakfast! Now, if I could just get them to bed….
“Sleepover” is a misnomer, don’t you think? Did you try tempting them with the waffles? “If you go to bed now: waffles. If you don’t: spinach omelettes.”
Hi Ann 🙂
Thanks for the link-up!
I love thick waffles, a bit crunchy on the exterior, but soft inside – FULL of pecans!!! Or.. topped with fresh strawberries and whip cream, or….
Thanks, now ya got me craving waffles. o;-p
Waffles filled with pecans? That sounds like it would be a tiny bit healthy with the touch of protein!
years and years ago, I had a boyfriend whose pet name for me was ma petite gaufre.
Now I’ll be wondering why all over again. And dusting off the waffle iron on Sunday.
I’m certain it’s due to how sweet you were to him, Sheila. And my husband had two nicknames on his college soccer team: the Belgian Wonder, which I call him on the blog here; and, the Belgian Waffle, which he really didn’t like very much. Not as much magic in it, I guess.
You get those here in London at all the waffle vans. I actually don’t like them at all! Too sticky-chewy. I prefer light fluffy waffles.
It’s fun to hear about different waffle preferences–it’s funny how different they can be.