Kitchen Kapers

Reading Ed’s post about making waffles reminded me a lot of how my Dad’s specialty has always been and will always be breakfast. My Dad is a good cook, but he is exceptionally talented when it comes to cooking breakfast. Don’t get me wrong, he doesn’t really do anything fancy, but he can whip up some perfectly scrambled eggs, and of course there’s always the breakfast sandwiches he would make, complete with a slice of pork roll or some bacon, if we so desired.

I think my absolute favorite thing that my Dad makes for breakfast though are his famous Eggs with Hats. Some people call these Eggs in a Basket. I didn’t realize what a common comfort food this was until I mentioned it to a friend. His Dad used to make him the same thing when he was growing up! A quick Google search for the name brought up even more aliases for the yummy breakfast, and even a link to the movie V for Vendetta, in which the main character makes Eggs in a Basket. There are even variations on the recipe. They are commonly cooked in a frypan, but apparently they can also be made in a muffin cups in the oven.

When my Dad makes them he usually does them in the frying pan, buttering one side of each slice of bread, and slapping a little bit of butter in the pan as it heats. (Note: this is not the low-fat version.)

You cut a hole in the center of the bread, using a shot glass, small juice glass, or biscuit cutter and place the bread (butter side up) in the heated frypan.

After you toast the bread for a minute or two in the frying pan you add the egg and cook it until the white is no longer translucent, flipping the bread/egg when necessary.

You can cook the egg until the yolk is done to your desired consistency. I prefer mine done over easy, so the yolk is still a little runny. My Dad also toasts the removed centers of the bread, as these become the hats and coincidentally are great for dipping into an over-easy egg. You can also lightly season the eggs with salt and pepper if you like, or you can get really daring and throw in some of your favorite spices. I like to keep mine plain with just a smidge of salt and pepper. For me these eggs really are comfort food, simple, tasty and filling. Have you ever had Eggs with Hats? If so, what do you call them?

Best Feature: Crunch Control

The Low Down: I was never a big waffle fan, mostly because I grew up thinking that they only came in the frozen form. Those waffles were dry and lifeless and the texture just not so appetizing. Then, while on vacation in New Hampshire, I tried a waffle at this fabulous little country restaurant and to my surprise, that waffle was darned good. The waffle was crunchy on the outside and soft and hot on the inside. Thus, I changed my view towards waffles. Restaurant waffles=good, frozen waffles=awful. Of course, my children think differently. They do like the waffles I make, but go absolutely nuts for a frozen waffle in the morning. I don’t mean a heated frozen waffle either, they want the thing frozen! They walk around with a freezing cold piece of pastry and are happy about it. Talk about an easy breakfast!

Anyhow, once my love for a “good” waffle began, I found myself craving them on occasion. I tried many local restaurants only to find that their waffles were substandard. I even went to a restaurant with the word Waffle in its name. You would think with that name that their waffles would be absolutely the best. Well, their waffles came out soft (no crunchy surface) and a little pancaky. Now, I do love a good pancake. Actually, I love them burnt, which is near impossible to get at a restaurant, but I digress. I was disgusted that I couldn’t get a good waffle anywhere except for that faraway country retreat in New Hampshire. I love New Hampshire, but I’m not going there every time I want a waffle. I have to make my own pancakes if I want that charred taste, so now I have to resort to making my own waffles too. So, my search for a good waffle maker began in earnest.

I tried a few less expensive brands and they were ok, but they came out dry and too crunchy or became soft a minute after they left the waffle iron. Then I happened upon the Waring Pro waffle maker. I was told that this is the type of machine that they use in many higher end hotels, although it was not nearly as expensive. I took the Waring Pro home and tried it that night. Sometimes eating breakfast food for dinner is just the best thing imaginable! I used my favorite pancake/ waffle mix from Stonewall Kitchens (it has a little malt in it which I love) and prepared the batter. Turning to my new HOPE for a “good” waffle, I switched the waffle iron to ON. The POWER light lit up to let me know that indeed it was receiving power. Then, I located the darkness control lever and set the level at 1, the lowest or lightest setting. I wanted to know how the texture would be at this setting before going for what I knew I would want, the darkest setting. When the waffle maker reached the temperature at which to cook the waffle at the lightest setting, a little “ding” sounded and the READY light shone green. Using the measuring pitcher provided, I filled to the max fill line and poured the batter onto the waffle iron. Then, per the directions, I closed the waffle iron and spun the iron 180 degrees. Apparently, this allows the waffle to rise better and cook more evenly. I think this may have something to do with rising steam, but I can’t be sure. Anyhow, the waffle iron “dinged” again when the waffle was done. I suppose the machine is set with an internal timer as well as a thermostat to know when the waffle is done depending upon your darkness setting. I mean, the machine can’t be sentient can it? Anyhow, I slathered a good helping of butter upon the waffle, Paula Dean would be proud and probably hungry, then added a little syrup. The texture was good, slightly crunchy exterior and a soft and airy interior. This was the best waffle that I have had outside of New Hampshire. Next, I went straight for the darkest setting on the waffle maker, measured and added the batter, closed the waffle iron, flipped it 180 degrees and waited. The wait was a long one, almost a minute and a half, though it seemed like eternity. Then, that most lovely sound, the telltale “ding” that my waffle was ready sent me into a Pavlovian drool fest. I eagerly removed the waffle from the iron and lovingly piled on the butter and a little syrup and attacked. The outer texture was crunchy and the sugars well caramelized, inside the waffle was airy, warm and soft. This was THE BEST waffle I have ever eaten! It surpassed even that of the country restaurant New Hampshire. I have always loved those moments in life when you know that you have found something that will be a part of your life forever. Yes, it was love at first shovelful. Those deep pockets of crunchy delight held the butter and syrup superbly. I now make waffles every Sunday and it has become a tradition in my house. I also experiment by adding other ingredients like fresh blueberries and the texture always comes out crunchy. Mine is now THE waffle house!

The Bottom Line: A great machine! The browning control goes from light to dark and everything in between. That should suffice for anyone’s palate, except for those that want a truly burnt waffle. (For these people, you may want to get a torch). The Waring Pro makes a truly thick waffle with deep pockets, a true Belgian waffle. The waffle iron itself is non-stick. You add a little cooking spray the first use, and then afterwards never need to apply again. The waffles release very easily. I love the rotating grill, as it does make for a better internal texture. The measuring pitcher is a nice tool as well; if you use it you never overfill the iron and get a gooey mess to clean up. The audio beeps are a great idea, as they tell you when the iron is ready to cook and when the waffle is done. The newer model, 300-A, comes with a fold down handle for easier storage. The machine is also a great value selection. It makes the best waffles at a decent price, what more do you want? You want me to make them for you? Make your own waffles, they taste better!

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