Belgium Waffles for #Food of the World (Vegan Recipe)

By Pavani @napavani
This month we are visiting Belgium for Food of the World event. Belgium is best known for its chocolate (one of the world's best), waffles and beer. I wanted to make a vegetarian dish from Belgium, but didn't find time to do my research. So I ended up making Belgian waffles for breakfast this past weekend. But contrary to what I thought, waffles in Belgium are not really breakfast food, they are more popular as casual snack food -- usually bought from a bakery or a street stand. The waffles that North Americans think of as Belgian waffle is actually known as Gaufre de Bruxelles or "the Brussels waffle' in Belgium.
The Brussels waffle uses yeast as a leavener instead of baking powder, which is used in most of North American pancakes and waffles. Also Brussels waffles are rectangular and about 1" thick with fairly deep dimples.
I make these Belgium waffles recipe from King Arthur website quite often along with my other waffle recipes. But I veganized the recipe this time and used some whole wheat pastry flour along with all purpose flour for some added fiber. These yeasted waffles turned out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Recipe adapted from KAF site.
Ingredients:
All purpose flour - 1cup
Whole-wheat pastry flour - 1cup
Salt - ¾tsp
Egg replacer - 2tbsp whisked in 6tbsp water (ground flaxseed can also be used)
Yeast - 1½tsp
Soy milk - 1½cups, luke warm (any non-dairy milk will work here)
Vegetable Oil - 6tbsp
Maple syrup - 2~3tbsp (optional)
Vanilla extract - 1tsp
Method:
  • Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stir to combine. Few lumps in the batter is OK, do not overmix. Cover with a plastic wrap or plate and set aside to rise for 1 hour.
  • At this point, you can make waffles or the batter can be refrigerated overnight to develop some real depth of flavor, yeasty and rich. I've done it both ways and loved the waffles both the times. 
  • Preheat the waffle iron and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Pour about ⅔~¾ cup of batter on the iron, close the lid and bake for recommended amount of time, or until the waffle is golden brown. It took me about 3~3½ minutes for each waffle.
  • Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 200°F oven. Serve with maple syrup, fruits and/ or whipped cream, if desired.

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