This year I was fortunate enough to spend Christmas in the Seattle area. I went over to my Aunt and Uncle’s for a few days where we over indulged in food and wine! Christmas morning my Uncle had decided we were having “Lady Gaga waffles”. Apparently he had watched a special where she prepared a recipe for waffles that she had eaten as a child at her Grandmother’s house on holidays. The waffles were made with prosciutto in the batter. Given that description and the tendency of my Aunt and I to “wing it” to create our own version this is what we came up with! These are definitely a holiday treat that takes an already indulgent breakfast over the top! My Uncle, who shakes his head every time my Aunt and I are in the kitchen throwing a little of this and a little of that into the food took one bite and said, “Lady Gaga who?”
Waffle Batter
2/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons honey
1 large egg, separated
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups crispy Prosciutto crumbled (1 cup for the batter and 1 cup for the apple- rum glaze) – I fry the Prosciutto (see below) in a large sauté pan with a small amount of oil. I also fry a few pieces for each serving to keep whole for garnish ( reserve the oil for the apples)
1 cup grated apple
METHOD:
Whisk first 7 ingredients in large bowl to blend. Whisk buttermilk, honey, and egg yolk, in medium bowl to blend. Whisk buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients. Stir in melted butter. Beat egg white in another medium bowl until stiff but not dry; fold into batter. Fold in the 1 cup of the crispy prosciutto and grated apple.
Spray 8- to 9-inch square waffle iron with nonstick spray and preheat. Pour half of batter (about 1 cup) onto hot iron. Close top and cook until brown and set, about 3 minutes (time will vary depending on machine). Transfer waffle to large rack placed on rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining batter
Caramelized Apple-Rum Glaze
2 large apples peeled and sliced thin
1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of oil from frying Prosciutto
2 Tablespoons rum
2 teaspoons cinnamon
METHOD:
In the sauté pan that you fried the oil, drain all but 1/2 cup of the oil, do not strain you want all the bits and pieces that are left in the pan! Heat the oil so that when you add the apples they begin to caramelize immediately. Cook for approx 2 minutes until the apples begin to brown. Add the brown sugar and cook until the brown sugar dissolves and begins to reduce into a syrup. Once it reaches a syrup consistency add the rum and cook for an additional few minutes. Stir in the cinnamon. Cook for an additional minute to blend the flavors.
To serve place a waffle or two depending on the size down on the plate and top with your Apple-Rum glaze and a few pieces of fried prosciutto!
