Belgian cuisine has received influences from various countries and cultures and is today one of the most exquisite in the world! This region is recognized by the use of fresh ingredients and the originality it prints on its products, whether the chocolates, beers or ... the waffles! This simple dough with flour and eggs, pressed with an iron that gives it a unique texture, similar to a honeycomb — in fact, it is from this expression that comes the term "waffle" —, it delights those who stroll through the streets of Brussels. And there is an option for all tastes: sweet or salty and with dozens of possible fillings ... the hard part will be choosing!
From need to pleasure No one resists the smell of a freshly made waffle, right? But it was not always a greed! By the thirteenth century, when the original recipe was created, it was a substitute for bread. The dough was also used in the churches as a host and usually the printed image was some coat of arms or figure related to Christianity. Later, in the eighteenth century, the "Waffle de Liège" appeared, so-called because the recipe was invented by the masterchef of the Prince of Liège. This recipe is made with sugar pearls, which melt as the dough cooks in the mold, forming caramelized points. Needless to say the scent is divine and filling it is almost a sin!
Practical Information Although the original recipe is said to be "kept under lock and key" — as the Pastéis de Belém, which you can taste in Lisbon — there are several simple recipes you can make at home, just as tasty! Here’s an example: INGREDIENTS: - 80 g butter - 75 g of sugar - 1 sachet of vanilla sugar - 3 eggs - 200 g of flour - 5g baking powder - 250ml of milk PREPARATION: Mix the butter, sugar and vanilla sugar. Beat 2 whole eggs and a yolk with a fork. Add to the above mixture. Set aside the egg white. Add the sifted flour and baking powder to the dough. Slowly pour the milk over the dough and mix with a wooden spoon, without making lumps. Whisk the egg whites and carefully embed in the remaining mass. Grease the waffle maker and pour in the dough. Let it cook for 2 or 3 minutes.