Thursday, April 26, 2012

Coconut Macadamia Banana Waffles - A taste of Aloha


Dreams of swaying palms, warm ocean waters and light tropical breezes constantly fill my head and become my happy place when I'm in need of a lift.  A tropical girl at heart yet stuck on the mainland, my husband and I have made San Diego our home and every once in a while we can almost feel a Hawaiian influence around town.

That same husband was lucky enough to actually feel my beloved warm, soft and tropical Hawaiian breezes last week as he "worked".  Yes... flying that big huge airplane all the way across the big huge ocean to find that teeny tiny island is actually work.  So much so, he says, that that is why he and his hard working co-pilot received 2 full 20 hour layovers to "rest", one on the Big Island and the other downtown in Waikiki.  I actually think it has something to do with flight scheduling... but we'll let him have his hard work fantasy.

With images such as this one:
King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
And this one:
View from Chuck's Steakhouse, Waikiki
arriving frequently by text message,  I got the Island Fever... and I got it bad.

Intense and pure jealousy flowed through me as I received 10 minute updates on his meal at my Favorite Kona Brewing Company on the Big Island while he dined on my cherished Strawberry Spinach Salad with Island Macadamia Nuts sprinkled lightly on top (I'll spare you that photo message).  The next day he enjoyed views of Waikiki beach while dining on a fillet at Chucks, just over Dukes, as they watched the sun dip into the calm Pacific.

While he did bring me a new Kona Brewing Company water bottle, I couldn't help but be just a bit envious of his "work" last week.  Heading to the internet, I immediately started researching Bed and Breakfast locations on the Island of Kauai.  Settling on a lovely vacation rental property with panoramic views my next thought was about the breakfast part of the deal.  With no real description on the website I turned to Tripadvisor reviews and found that the breakfast at this bed and breakfast is lacking.  While the property is indeed spectacular, the breakfast included a basket containing instant Quaker Oatmeal and a sleeve of store bought bagels.  So disappointing, and potentially disappointing enough to have me stay elsewhere (in my vacation dream).

Pulling staples out of my Hawaiian stocked pantry, Liv and I set to putting together our own version of what a proper bed and breakfast would serve.  Luckily, our day was sunny with light breezes as we mixed a basic banana waffle batter.  Enhancing with coconut was a no brainier and then topping with additional bananas, toasted coconut and chopped macadamia nuts brought the islands to us.  The Liv Life Bed and Breakfast proudly serves Coco-Mac Banana Waffles with fresh tropical juices and Kona coffee.

Oh... that traveling husband?  I'm not so jealous anymore... this morning he is dining at a cheesy buffet in a hotel in Fresno before heading to Rockford, Illinois.  I think I'll stick with San Diego.


Coco-Mac Banana Waffles
a little taste of the islands in your own kitchen.
Created by Liv Life
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or your favorite whole grain mix - we rotate with whole wheat, oat and spelt flours)
3 Tbs ground flax meal
1 Tbs baking powder
14 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional - Liv likes it)
Pinch nutmeg
2-4 Tbs unsweetened coconut*** (sometimes we toast it) (If you have sweetened I'm sure that would be fine too)
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 1/2 cups milk (or milk alternative - we use rice milk)
3 Tbs canola oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 banana mashed
2 egg whites
1 to 1 1/2 bananas chopped
additional chopped banana, toasted coconut and chopped macadamia nuts to garnish

In a large mixing bowl combine the flours, flax, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg and coconut.  Whisk to combine, then set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the milk, oil, vanilla, egg yolks and mashed banana.  Whisk to combine.  Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk the egg whites until medium peaks form (may use a mixer, but a whisk will give yours arms a little work out).

Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk just until almost combined (8-10 full whisks).  Add the whipped egg whites and chopped bananas and fold the whites and bananas into the mixture.
Pour scoops of the prepared batter into your waffle maker following your maker's instructions and cook do desired brownness.

Serve with maple syrup and additional chopped bananas, toasted coconut and chopped macadamia nuts for a true tropical treat.

Aloha!

*** Liv Life Note:  Liv is not super fond of strong coconut flavors, as such we used 2 Tbs of coconut in the batter.  Add additional coconut for a more pronounced flavor, or even substitute coconut oil for the canola oil.

San Diego, CA.   I'll take it...

23 comments:

  1. I am so coming to stay at the Liv Life Bed and Breakfast!

    My dad used to call me from the balcony of the condo he stays at when he goes to Hawaii. Sometimes he'd even have the nerve to tell me he couldn't hear me over the surf.

    I'll need to make sure I have this recipe in hand. Actually, probably not. Only something completely doused in chocolate could raise any envy in him (really...I'm serious). I have no doubt I can find something suitable around here at the LLB&B.

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  2. Mmmm I want these for dinner tonight! I hope I have all the ingredients...

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  3. This is totally my kind of breakfast! Way to start the day :) Yum!

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  4. You could easily transport me with this beautiful breakfast - though how I might fit into that aloha skirt afterwards is beyond me :P

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  5. Your photos are lovely! I can tell by the look of the ingredients this breakfast is delicious!

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  6. Well, that was nice of him to bring you a water bottle! :)-

    It was nice of you to post these great photos that he took.

    It was super nice of you to give me a great idea for a weekend breakfast. (And when is the B&B opening?) :)

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  7. Wow that all looks pretty awesome wight now. Good beer, awesome food, and clear water. Yes please!

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  8. What fantastic way to jazz up a waffle.. this looks beyond tropical and perfect!! This would bring anyone down to the breakfast table. :) Have a wonderful weekend! ~ Ramona

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  9. Holy indulgent heaven! I read the title and started salivating. Way to bring the island life into your kitchen. YUM!

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  10. I'd be jealous, too, if my husband got to enjoy the islands without me. At least you got to enjoy your tropical waffles. Almost makes up for not sitting in front of the beach. :)

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  11. These are just delightful...would make a lovey treat for lunch today :)

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  12. These sound amazing! I love everything about them, but especially the coconut. I would love some right now :)!

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  13. You have me ready for a Hawaiian vacation! I've never been...and it's definitely on my bucket list. I'll have to settle for these waffles while we save up :) (I definitely think I can handle it...they look delicious!) PS: I never knew your husband was a pilot! Mine is too...but he flies helicopters.

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  14. It'a so fun that we can travel to foreign destinations through our culinary adventurs! These waffles sound wonderful and just looking at them makes me feel soft tropical breezes, at least in my head!

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  15. that looks like a delicious breakfast! yum!

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  16. Yum I just came back from hawaii, these are making me want to go back home again. These look super "Ono"!!

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  17. Your pictures are stunning! I'm dying for some sunshine! I'm just an hour outside of Rockford... :) I'd totally take San Diego too! And some of those waffles...yum!!

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  18. Those Waffles sure look like something that I would really love for my breakfast! Beautiful photos, wish I was there right now...

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  19. Still drooling over the thought of these waffles!! Can't wait to try them out on my kiddos. It was lovely meeting you this past weekend!

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  20. This looks incredible and is making me LONG for summertime! I would adore this on a Sunday morning :)

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  21. Yum! Who needs Hawaii when you can have these?!!!

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  22. These sound amazing! Love the flavor combination! I would kill to go back to hawaii right now but would totally forget about it if I was having these waffles.

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  23. There is a conference every year in hawaii that I try to convince my boss to send me to. Hasn't worked yet... I'll have to make these waffles and dream of hawaii too! I'll add more coconut though, love it!

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