Cornmeal Waffles With Smoked Salmon Recipes

CORNMEAL WAFFLES WITH SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Make the batter: In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk in buttermilk, eggs and butter. Beat briefly to produce a thick batter. Set aside at room temperature.
• Prepare the condiments: Stir together crème fraîche and lemon zest, and transfer to a serving dish. On a platter, arrange the smoked salmon, caviar, chives and dill.
• Heat the waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. When hot, ladle in a scant cup of batter. (This amount is for a round waffle with a 7-inch diameter. Adjust quantities for irons of other sizes.) Close the iron, and bake each waffle for 4 to 5 minutes, until well browned and quite crisp. You may hold waffles uncovered on a baking sheet in a 250-degree oven, for up to 20 minutes.
• To serve, lay a slice of smoked salmon in the center of each waffle. Top with a good dollop of crème fraîche and a heaped teaspoon of caviar. Sprinkle with chives, dill and a bit of black pepper. (To serve as appetizers, assemble a platter in the kitchen: Cut waffles in quarters or wedges, and top each with a small piece of salmon, a dab of créme fraîche and some caviar. Garnish with herbs and pepper.)

SAVORY WAFFLES SIX WAYS

Steps:

• Start with recipe for Top Notch Waffles:
• Whisk 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 1/2 sticks cooled melted butter and 2 eggs in a separate bowl until combined; pour into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. (A few small lumps are fine.) Preheat a waffle iron; lightly brush with butter, then fill with batter three-quarters full and cook until the waffles are golden and crisp.
• Sesame, Scallion and Sausage
• Add 1 bunch thinly sliced scallions, 3 thinly sliced dried Chinese sausages and 2 teaspoons each toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds and grated ginger to the batter. Top the waffles with a fried egg.
• Smoked Salmon and Chives
• Reduce the milk to 1 1/4 cups and add 1/2 cup sour cream. Add 4 ounces chopped smoked salmon, 1/4 cup minced chives and 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon to the batter. Top the waffles with more sour cream and chives.
• Bacon and Almond
• Add 8 chopped cooked bacon slices, 1/2 cup finely chopped marcona almonds and 2 teaspoons each ancho chile powder and chopped thyme to the batter. Top the waffles with maple syrup.
• Goat Cheese and Kale
• Add 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese, 1 cup finely chopped kale, 2 tablespoons chopped mixed herbs (parsley, basil and dill), 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the batter. Top the waffles with arugula salad.
• Chili Cornbread
• Replace 1 cup of the flour with cornmeal. Add 1 cup each thawed frozen fire-roasted corn and shredded pepper jack cheese, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1 minced seeded jalapeno to the batter. Top the waffles with honey and hot sauce.
• Salami-Provolone
• Add 1/2 cup each shredded provolone and grated parmesan, 2 ounces finely chopped salami and 1 teaspoon pepper to the batter. Top the waffles with ricotta and olive oil.

SMOKED SALMON WAFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat your waffle iron. If you want to hold the finished waffles until serving time, preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
• Melt the butter and reserve. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until well blended. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and whisk gently to combine. Fold in the salmon, onion, dill, and melted butter.
• Lightly butter or spray the grids or your iron, if needed. Brush or spray the grids again only if subsequent waffles stick.
• Spoon out 1/2 cup of the batter (or the amount recommended by your waffle maker's instructions) onto the hot iron. Spread the batter evenly over the grids with a metal spatula or wooden spoon, stopping right before the edge. Close the lid and bake until golden and crisp. Serve immediately or keep the waffles, in a single layer, on a rack in the preheated oven while you make the rest of the batch.
• Serve with either a scoop of cream cheese and a sprinkling of chopped scallions, or a generous spoonful of creme fraiche (or sour cream) and some salmon caviar.