Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Waffles From All Around the World

By Wendy B Millie

Waffles are a favored meal for almost anyone whether it is for breakfast, desert or as a special treat. Their recipe is very old dating back to the Middle Ages and you can find different variations in countries across the world. These variations differ in their looks, taste and how they are eaten.

The best way to describe a waffle is to say that it is a combination of a cake and pancake. To make one you will need to a have a batter consisting of water, eggs, baking powder and flour. Which part of the world your in and the type of waffle made will mean that this basic recipe will have variations. Waffles are made using a set of hot plates inside a kitchen appliance called a waffle maker.

The actual recipe dates back to Medieval times. Vendors selling waffles could be found on the streets. They would cook the batter between two iron plates over a fire and were called 'wafers'. Today's waffles are modern day versions of these wafers.

The American waffle is actually a variation of these cakes that were brought to the country by Dutch pilgrims in 1620. The Americans took the basic recipe and over the years have made it their own. Now you can find all sorts of different waffles that are sweat, savory or fruity for just about any occasion.

Most Europeans are unfamiliar with the American version. When they think of a waffle they think of the Belgian version. This is lighter and more thick than their American cousins. Just like their Medieval predecessors, these cakes are sold on the street as a hot snack.

In Hong Kong, waffles are also sold on the street. They are known as a grid cake because of the way they look and are made. In the Netherlands, stroopwafel is the modern version of their waffle from the Middle Ages that has been around since the 18th century.

If you want to make one of these types of waffles the best place to find the recipe is on the internet or in a good cookbook. Once you get a hang of the basic recipe you can start to be creative and try different things to create waffles that no one has ever tasted before.

Waffle makers are the final and most important part of making a waffle. You will need a good quality maker with non-stick hot plates. You can buy new and used models on well known websites like eBay and Amazon or from specific kitchen appliances web-stores.

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