Breakfast in Bed: Blueberry Bacon Waffles
April 7, 2013 Cmurph

One of the primary reasons I started this blog is because I was so often hearing people say how they cook, but they prepared the same foods all of the time and they were bored with their meals.  Adding herbs, spices and other flavorings to the most simple recipes can totally change the meal.  Be slightly creative with how you present the food, and your partner, family and friends will see you are an amazing cook!

Making something from scratch, or homemade, is healthier, less expensive and can actually be more simple to prepare than you think.  A perfect example is pancakes, waffles, cake mixes and breads or biscuits.  Instead of spending money on store bought baking mixes, all you need are a few basic pantry items such as flour, baking soda, salt and sugar.

I added vanilla, almond extract and cinnamon to a basic waffle recipe.  The flavor takes on almost a desert-like quality.  Sweetness also comes from the blueberries. The bacon (I use applewood smoked) gives just a touch of salt, so the waffles become the perfect combination of salty-sweet.  Honestly, though I served the waffles with syrup and whipped cream, they are tasty with nothing on them at all.

For this recipe, you do need to have a waffle iron.  Though a fancy Belgian waffle iron makes wonderfully thick, fluffy waffles, any waffle iron will do.  One quick trick for knowing when your waffle is done: when the steam stops, it’s ready.

Blueberry Bacon Waffles

2 C Flour
4 t Baking Soda
1 T Sugar
1/2 t Salt
2 Med-Lg Eggs
1 3/4 C Milk
1/2 C Vegetable Oil
1/8 – 1/4 t Cinnamon, ground (optional, if you use fresh ground, use the lesser amount)
1 t Almond Extract
2 t Vanilla
1 1/2 C Blueberries (rinsed and drained) Other fruits can be substituted…strawberries are great!
12-14 Slices of Bacon
(Makes 6-7 waffles in my waffle iron)
Beat eggs by hand in a large mixing bowl.  Add remaining ingredients up to the vanilla and blend by hand until the lumps disappear.  Set aside and do not disturb until you are ready to use the batter.  Stirring again will remove the air and lead to less fluffy waffles.
Cook bacon slices to tender-crisp.  Drain grease on paper towel.  Rinse and drain blueberries.  Let dry in colander.
Prepare your waffle iron.  Preheat.  Even if the iron is non-stick, oil or spray with cooking spray before the first waffle to keep the waffles from sticking.
Place about 3/4 cup of the batter (or follow waffle iron instructions for amount) on the iron. Add a handful of blueberries and two slices of bacon, then close iron.

Serve with butter, maple syrup and/or whipped cream (I do ALL three!!)  Leftovers, if you have any, can be placed in a freezer bag and warmed in the microwave for about 1 – 1 1/2 minutes.

Update: I recently used strawberries in place of the blueberries and the waffles were just as yummy!!

 

Breakfast