Sourdough Waffles

Too much sourdough starter? A wonderful thing to do is share your starter. I've shared with a few people, so far, but you could also do something else. Sourdough waffles!!

They rock!!

This was my next endeavor after making the bread and the pancakes with my now very robust sourdough starter. This recipe is easy, flavorful and makes a lot of waffles.

Ingredients

The Sponge
1 cup (4 1/4 ounces) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 cup (4 ounces) King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour, Premium or White Whole Wheat
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups (16 ounces) buttermilk(I've used kefir and also mixed milk with yogurt)
1 cup (8 ounces) sourdough starter*

The Batter
2 large eggs
1/4 cup (2 ounces) butter, melted (or vegetable oil)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

The Sponge: Mix together the flours and sugar in a medium-sized ceramic mixing bowl. Stir in the buttermilk.  Add 1 cup (or 2, if you're doubling the recipe) of your refreshed sourdough starter and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature until you are ready to mix into your batter.

The Waffle Batter: Beat together the eggs, butter or oil, vanilla, salt and baking soda until light. Blend this mixture into the sponge, and see dramatic chemistry begin to happen.

Spray your waffle iron with a bit of vegetable oil pan spray. (This is probably necessary only for the first waffle.) Pour 1/2 to 1 cup batter onto the iron, depending on its size, close, and cook for approximately 2 minutes, or until it's as done as you like. Remove gently with a fork.

FYI, sourdough waffles are extraordinarily light, and their flavor has an edge (because of the period of fermentation) that puts them in another category from the more usual baking powder version. Traditionally they're served with butter and maple syrup, but their unique flavor combines well with things savory as well. 

I made more than we could eat, so I packaged them in twos and put them in the freezer. They're great to pop in the toaster on a morning that I want something fast.

Enjoy!

Maria