Noah Counte

I can't help it, I love waffles. They make pancakes seem like a hillbilly cousin (you know - he's amusing, but you wouldn't invite him for breakfast).

I'm going to make them in the morning, and I thought I'd share my basic recipe. I may go with just this, though I often add apple and cinnamon, cinnamon and raisins, or banana. Sometimes I substitute some OJ for milk, and add orange zest and chocolate chips...

• 1 cup Flour
  
• 1 cup milk
  
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  
• 2 tbs oil
  
• 1 egg, separated
  

Mix the flour and baking powder. Add the milk, oil and egg yolk. Mix until a batter forms. Lumps are ok. Whip the egg white to soft peaks and fold into the batter. Spoon into a HOT waffle iron, and cook to the desired color/crustiness. I like them crisp, so I cook them until they are golden brown.

If you intend to add something else - blueberries or something - do it before you fold in the egg white. Beating the white is what makes these waffles light and airy, and it also helps them become crispy. You can add the egg at once without beating if you like a heavier waffle, or if you don't like your waffls crispy.

Top with syrup, fruit and whipped cream, or some other favorite. Just don't tell me if you put peanut butter and syrup on them. I love both, but mising them seems sacrilegious.

If you must have your hillbilly cousin for breakfast, the same batter can be used for pancakes - don't bother beating the egg white, and you may want to add milk to make a thinner batter.