Waffle with blueberry compote and bananas, served with freshly juiced orange/apple drink
This is what Sunday mornings look like in my house. Actually, sometimes even midweek mornings if I’m feeling ambitious enough. This past Sunday was a particularly special day. Why? Because my dear friend Michelle from New York was in town! I had to make waffles for her before we embarked on our adventure to Stinson Beach. I am calling it an adventure because that’s truly what it was- a 1.5 hour drive North that included narrow, winding, and treacherous mountain roads. (And leg cramps for me, from constantly having my foot hovering over the brake.) Oh, but once you make that last turn around the mountain and see the beach, it’s all worth it!
Just beyond the final turn in the road
But I’m getting ahead of myself here, sorry. First, let’s talk waffles! Waffles are the easiest things to make, seriously. Why people pay up to $15 for waffles in fancy breakfast places, I don’t understand. (Unfortunately I was that person last week, when I bought a Berry waffle at Plum Cafe in Orange County for $15. Not a total waste of money because it came with an awesome whipped cream, but still too expensive considering how basic the ingredients are.)
The concept is simple. You whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl, and the wet ingredients in another. Then, you combine the two together, and viola, you have batter ready to throw onto the waffle iron! And “blueberry compote” is just a fancy name for frozen blueberries heated up with powdered sugar. This recipe is so easy to make that you’ll laugh afterwards and wonder why I even bothered to dedicate a whole post to it. (I hope not…)
Basic Waffles (from Joy of Cooking) served with Blueberry Compote and Bananas Whisk together in a large bowl: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt Whisk together in another bowl: 3 large eggs, well beaten 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Zest of 1 small orange (optional) 1 1/2 cups milk Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently whisk them together with a few, swift strokes. (The batter should have a pebbled look instead of a smooth one.) All you have to do now is pour the batter in scoops onto your preheated waffle iron and close the lid! Cook for longer if you want them more browned and crisp. Blueberry compote: Not the most professional compote out there, but it gets the job done. Simply heat up frozen blueberries in a small saucepan and mix with a couple tablespoons of powdered sugar until you reach your desired sweetness. Cook until blueberries have softened into a sauce-like consistency.
Wet ingredients on the left, dry on the right
Whisk both together, and there’s your batter!
Stack’o'waffles
Michelle displaying her breakfast for the camera
After breakfast we drove over to Stinson Beach because it was a beautiful 70+ degrees day and Michelle had not had her feet in the sand in months! If you’re ever in Marin County, this is the place to see! A true Northern California coastal gem tucked away behind the mountains. Mount Tamalpais, right next door, offers a very scenic 7 mile loop that starts and ends at the beach.
Stinson Beach, CA
Me and Mount Tam
Michelle against the rolling waves
After a beautiful day at the beach, the long drive back home wasn’t particulary thrilling, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Soft serve ice cream, ample sunshine, wonderful company, and the ocean lapping against your feet- perfect!
Actually waffles are incredibly easy to make. I don’t know why I feel a little intimidated to try making them. I recently learnt how to make waffles. No kidding! Easy peasy!
Haha yes! Waffles are just the simplest things and so yummy with their varied toppings. Just love ‘em!