Clara Bennett – Page 19 – tasteandtome.com

You’re juggling time, appetite, and whatever’s left in the fridge, but a box of waffle mix can still rescue dinner in five minutes. Toss in savory herbs, cheese, or quick-cooked protein, and you’ll turn a simple batter into something unexpected and satisfying. These ideas are practical, flexible, and designed to make weeknight cooking feel effortless — keep going and you’ll find a tweak that fits tonight’s vibe. Classic Savory Garlic-Parmesan Waffles Crisp, cheesy waffles with a punch of garlic — perfect savory bites for brunch or a snack. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced) 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (optional) 2 large eggs 1 3/4 cups milk 1/3 cup melted butter (plus extra for waffle iron) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional — balances flavors) Optional toppings: extra grated Parmesan, chopped chives, a drizzle of olive oil or hot honey How to Make: Preheat your waffle iron and lightly brush or spray it with butter or oil. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in the grated Parmesan and chopped parsley so they’re evenly distributed. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, melted butter, and vanilla if using. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined — don’t overmix; a few small lumps are fine. Let the batter rest for 2–3 minutes while the waffle iron finishes heating. Scoop the recommended amount of batter for your waffle iron onto the center and close the lid; cook until golden and crisp (follow your iron’s timing). Carefully remove the waffle and keep warm on a rack while you cook the remaining batter. Serve hot with extra Parmesan, chives, a drizzle of olive oil, or hot honey for contrast. Go ahead — bite into that salty, garlicky crisp and enjoy every savory mouthful! Cheddar, Chive, and Bacon Dinner Waffles Cheddar, Chive, and Bacon Dinner Waffles — savory, crisp, and perfect for any mealtime. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) 2 large eggs 1 3/4 cups milk 1/3 cup melted butter (or vegetable oil) 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/3 cup chopped fresh chives (or 2 tablespoons dried) 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped Nonstick spray or extra butter for waffle iron How to Make: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs then stir in the milk and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined—don’t overmix. Fold in the shredded cheddar, chopped chives, and chopped bacon until evenly distributed. Lightly grease the waffle iron with nonstick spray or butter. Spoon the batter onto the hot waffle iron (amount per waffle will depend on your iron) and close the lid. Cook until the waffles are golden and crisp, about 4–6 minutes, or according to your waffle iron’s indicator. Carefully remove waffles and keep warm in a low oven if making a batch. Serve hot with extra chives, a sprinkle of cheddar, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet-savory twist. These savory waffles are comfort-food magic—crispy, cheesy, and loaded with bacon and chive flavor. Enjoy! Spicy Southwest Black Bean Waffles Bold, crispy waffles with a zesty Southwest kick — great for brunch or a spicy dinner twist. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1/4–1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 2 large eggs 1 3/4 cups buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar) 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter) 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen) 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese 2–3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (plus extra for garnish) 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional) Nonstick spray or additional oil for waffle iron Lime wedges, sour cream or avocado, and hot sauce for serving (optional) How to Make: Preheat your waffle iron according to manufacturer directions. In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne. In another bowl beat the eggs, then stir in the buttermilk and oil until combined. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir gently until just combined — a few small lumps are fine. Fold in black beans, corn, cheese, cilantro, and jalapeño if using. Don’t overmix. Lightly oil the waffle iron. Scoop batter (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup per waffle depending on your iron) onto the hot surface and close. Cook until waffles are crisp and golden and steam has mostly stopped — about 4–6 minutes depending on your iron. Transfer finished waffles to a wire rack to keep them crisp while you cook the rest. Serve warm topped with a squeeze of lime, a dollop of sour cream or smashed avocado, extra cilantro, and a dash of hot sauce. Enjoy the spicy Southwest crunch — these waffles are guaranteed to liven up any meal! Herbed Chicken and Waffle Skillet Mix Herbed Chicken and Waffle Skillet Mix — savory, crispy comfort in one skillet. Ingredients: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup waffle mix (prepared according to package directions for batter; use slightly thicker batter) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried) 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried) 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (optional) 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil 2 tbsp butter 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 bell pepper, diced (optional) 1/2 cup milk (or as called for by waffle mix) 1 egg (if required by waffle mix) 1/4 cup chicken broth or water Hot honey or maple syrup, for serving How to Make: Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and half of the thyme and rosemary. Heat oil in a large ovenproof or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden and cooked through, about 4–6 minutes; transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium, add butter, then sauté the chopped onion (and bell pepper if using) until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir remaining herbs and parsley into the sautéed vegetables. Prepare the waffle batter using the waffle mix, milk, and egg as directed but make it slightly thicker; stir in Parmesan if using. Return the chicken to the skillet and spread it evenly with the vegetables. Pour the waffle batter over the chicken and vegetables, smoothing the top. Cook on the stovetop over medium-low for 4–5 minutes until edges begin to set. Transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake 12–15 minutes, or until the waffle topping is golden and cooked through. Let the skillet rest 3–5 minutes, then drizzle with hot honey or maple syrup and sprinkle a little extra fresh herbs. Slice and serve straight from the skillet for a cozy, shareable meal. Enjoy the sweet-savory crunch — perfect for brunch or a fun dinner! Sweet Potato, Sage, and Goat Cheese Waffles Sweet Potato, Sage, and Goat Cheese Waffles — savory, tender waffles with sweet potato, crisped sage, and tangy goat cheese. Ingredients: 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato (about 1 medium sweet potato) 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 large egg 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar, rested 5 min) 1/4 cup melted butter (plus extra for waffle iron) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves (plus whole leaves for crisping) 3 to 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled Optional: maple syrup or honey for drizzling, toasted walnuts for garnish How to Make: Preheat your waffle iron so it’s hot and ready; lightly brush or spray with butter or oil. If you haven’t already, cook and mash the sweet potato until smooth and measure 1 cup. In a bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon (if using), and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the egg, then add buttermilk and melted butter until combined. Stir the mashed sweet potato into the wet mixture until smooth. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and fold gently until just combined — a few lumps are okay. Fold in the chopped sage and most of the crumbled goat cheese, reserving a little to scatter on top. Quickly fry the whole sage leaves in a tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium heat until crisp (about 30–60 seconds per side); set aside on paper towel. Spoon batter onto the preheated waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions, sprinkle reserved goat cheese on each waffle, and close the lid. Cook until waffles are golden and crisp and the waffle iron indicates they’re done (about 4–6 minutes depending on your iron). Transfer waffles to a rack in a warm oven if making multiple batches to keep them crisp. Serve warm topped with the crispy sage leaves, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey if you like a touch of sweetness, and toasted walnuts if using. Enjoy these savory-sweet waffles warm — they’re cozy, herbaceous, and perfect for brunch or a comforting dinner.