A Crispy Cornmeal Bacon Waffle Food

CORNMEAL WAFFLES WITH BACON, EGGS AND CREAMY RICOTTA

Steps:

• For the bacon: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lay bacon on a sheet pan in an even layer, not touching. Bake until golden brown and crispy, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the maple syrup, mustard and some pepper in a bowl.
• Remove the pan to a baking rack, then liberally brush the top of the bacon with the maple syrup mixture and let sit for 8 minutes.
• For the creamy ricotta: Whisk together the ricotta, orange zest, 1 tablespoon heavy cream and some salt and pepper in a bowl until smooth and creamy. If too thick and dry, add 1 to 2 more tablespoons heavy cream.
• For the waffles: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Put the butter in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until deep golden brown. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Mix together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, sea salt and baking soda in a large bowl until combined.
• Put the yolks in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract to the yolks and whisk to combine.
• Put the egg whites in a medium bowl and beat until soft peaks form.
• Add the yolk mixture to the dry mixture, along with the butter, then whisk until the batter just comes together. Fold in the egg whites.
• Heat a waffle iron and brush the grates with butter. Spoon about 1/2 cup batter into each waffle well and cook until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Keep warm on a rack set on top of a baking sheet in the oven while you cook the remaining waffles and the eggs.
• For the eggs: Add 2 tablespoons butter to a nonstick pan over medium-high heat and let melt. Carefully crack 3 eggs into the pan and cook until set on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully flip the eggs with a spatula so that you don't break the yolks. Cook until just set, an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat the process using the remaining butter and eggs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Top each waffle with some creamy ricotta, an egg and some bacon.

CORNMEAL WAFFLES

Steps:

• Bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes at 400º Fahrenheit . Set aside. Once cool, crumble bacon.
• Melt butter and set aside.
• Whisk buttermilk, eggs, maple syrup, and lightly cooled melted butter in a large bowl until well combined.
• Add cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and baking soda and beat until just combined. Don't overmix. Fold in the crumbled bacon. If desired reserve some bacon bits for garnish.
• Ladle the batter into a hot, greased waffle maker and bake until crisp. About 5 minutes.*
• Transfer cornmeal waffles onto a plate, serve with the remaining bacon bits, and drizzle with maple syrup.

OAT AND CORNMEAL WAFFLES

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Beat egg and add to buttermilk.
• Add egg and buttermilk to dry ingredients and mix to incorporate.
• Add cooled melted butter and mix to incorporate.
• Do not overmix.
• Heat waffle iron, (to grease or not to grease- I usually don't) for each waffle pour about 2/3 cup of batter or 1/2 an iron full.
• Bake until well crisped.

CORNMEAL BACON WAFFLES WITH CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat your waffle iron.
• In a small bowl, mix together the eggs, milk and oil. In a larger bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the milk mixture. Stir until well blended.
• Pour 1/4 cup batter onto the heated waffle iron. Amount may be different for different irons. Place a strip of raw bacon over the batter across each section of the waffle iron. Close the lid, and cook until steam is no longer coming out, and the waffle is golden brown.
• For the cheese sauce, melt processed cheese in a bowl in the microwave. Gradually stir in milk until you reach your desired thickness. Drizzle cheese sauce over waffles before serving.