Friday, August 31, 2012

Peanut Butter Waffles

Peanut Butter Waffles, syrup, banana

As I rose before the kids, I hoped their first early morning of the school year was eased ever so slightly with aromas of freshly baked waffles wafting throughout the house.  Up at the break of dawn, I had the flour mixed, eggs lightly beaten, and the waffle iron hot before the full sunrise.  A touch of peanut butter in the batter proved somewhat controversial in prior discussions, however that same touch also proved to be an extraordinarily welcomed addition on this early first day of school morning.

Now left with empty plates and syrup drips on the table, I find myself alone in the house for the first time in months.  I've been looking forward to this day, but now that it's here, I find myself somewhat lonely, and even a little emotional.

Then... and now.
It seems only yesterday that I sent my little 5 year old boy off to kindergarten and watched in amazement as a few of the veteran moms simply popped their kids out of the the car, driving off with errands on their minds as I stood rooted to the playground grass watching my son keep his eye on me while he played.

As the bell rang the teacher mentioned it was time for parents to go.  A look of fear passed over my son's face as he decided whether to run to me or follow the other kids to the line.  He did go to the line but the tears welling up in his eyes brought tears to my own, tears which flowed again 4 hours later as he sprinted from the classroom and leaped into my open, waiting arms.  Burying his head into my shoulder he cried how he had missed me, and I responded in like fashion.

Peanut butter waffles
A similar scenario followed for a few years, but today things are different.  My six-foot tall junior in high school still has to let me drive him to school due to the lack of his car ownership, however he pops out of the car as soon as traffic slows, and today there is no looking back at mommy... no tears in his lake blue eyes.  But there were tears in mine.

I know my time is coming close.  I know that two years from now I will also be dropping him off at school, but that day he won't be coming home when the school day is done.  Hopefully he'll home for Christmas break, but I know the man who comes home will be different from the man I drop off.  And while I'm so very proud of that person he is becoming, I also know I will forever miss that little boy who ran into my arms and missed me.

But for today, there were waffles.  My waffles, and he liked them.  He even said thanks, and I got an ever so quick pat on the shoulder before we headed to the car.  He chatted on the ride, and I savored each and every second of our time alone in the car together.

I know my husband and I have done a good job, we've prepared him for life without us and he will succeed.  He is confident, bright and eager to grow.  He will go out into the world and I will become more of an afterthought... as it should be.  But he will miss my waffles.

peanut butter waffles, maple syrup, banana

Peanut Butter Waffles
Adapted from Beth Hensperger's must have book, Bread for Breakfast, we make these waffles dairy free by swapping oil for butter and rice milk for dairy milk.  I also swap a bit of the all-purpose flour for our favorite spelt and add a touch of flax meal to increase the health benefits. Excellent right off the griddle, these waffles also led to cleaned plates after school when re-heated lightly in a toaster oven.
Adapted from Bread for Breakfast, page 62, Beth Hensperger

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup spelt flour (or may all-purpose)
2 Tbs ground flax meal
1 Tbs baking powder
1 Tbs brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil (Beth uses melted butter)
2/3 cups peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
1 3/4 cup milk (we use rice milk - add a TBS or two more for thinner batter if desired)
1 banana, diced

Heat your waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.

In a large bowl, combine the flours, flax, baking powder, brown sugar and salt.  Whisk to combine and set aside.

In a medium bowl add the eggs, oil, peanut butter (if you use natural, use it at room temp), and milk.  Whisk to incorporate completely.

Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, and with a wooden spoon, stir just until almost mixed.  Add the diced banana, and fold until just until incorporated.

Spraying the waffle iron with cooking spray, pour the recommended amount onto your griddles and cook until the waffle is golden and slightly crisped.  Remove from the griddles and serve.

We like to top our Peanut Butter Waffles with additional bananas and chopped peanuts.  Liv has been known to add a dollop of whipped cream as well...

Liv Life Note:  These waffles re-heated beautifully in a toaster oven.


Peanut Butter Waffles, banana, waffles, peanuts

16 comments:

  1. What a poignant piece. I feel as though I was reading from your journal.

    It's amazing how different our lives are in this area (and I don't mine the madness of rising before dawn). :)

    Dudette doesn't want me to get anywhere near her when she walks into school. My stubborn, independent little girl was able to do it on her own, even in kindergarten. I already get the blown kiss as her pony tail bobs away from me towards the building when I drop her off.

    Maybe if I'd gone the peanut butter waffle route? They look delicious.

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  2. Kim- beside being an awesome cook and baker, you are a mega-awesome writer. What a beautiful piece. And those waffles ain't too shabby either.

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  3. I've had peanut butter on waffles before, but never in them. Great idea!

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  4. Thanks Liv for that wonderful story. I know exactly how you feel as I dropped off my son at the airport for his second year in college. No need to take him this year. Our daughter has entered her second year in high school and so the empty house syndrome has begun. I do remember those tearful days and as I read your blog this morning, tears were forming in my eyes as I recanted all the good bye hugs and then the even more wonderful and bigger hugs hello. Thank you for the memories and of course the wonderful recipes. Here's to an amazing year this year for you and your family.

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  5. They grow up so fast, don't they?
    As long as you keep cooking them delicious waffles like that, though, I don't think there's much chance of your kids leaving for all that long - I know I'd have happily lived at home as long as my parents would have let me if there were breakfasts like this one waiting for me each morning! :)

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  6. Isn't it a great but sad feeling that they are getting independent. Believe me those two years will go so fast. I think feeing them a good breakfast before school is a great way to slow it down though. Hope they had a great first day and that you all enjoy the long weekend.
    -Gina-

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  7. your post brought tears to my eyes.
    One of the reasons we decided upon homeschooling Tiffany was that I could not bear the thought of having her away. I know it will come a day, may not be preschool this year) when she will want to go to "normal" school and play with other kids and forget all about the tea-parties we're having right now.
    aww, my baby is not a baby anymore

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  8. We measure milestones by our school memories, don't we? What a poignant post.

    On a less serious note, I love the peanut butter trend of late. Happy Labor Day!

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  9. Kim, how well I remember those bittersweet days you're describing ........ but take heart; they do grow up but it gets even more fun on the other end ......when your grown up kids become your friends and you get little ones once again in the form of grandkids! At which time you can begin making yummy waffles all over again! :)

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  10. Kim,
    Even after they go away to college, your kids still come back for Peanut Butter waffles, and with dirty laundry. Your waffles will be in his memories, because dorm food doesn't even compare to Mom's;)

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  11. pb & waffles - pure genius! thanks for the inspiration!
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.ca/

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  12. What a lovely, touching post. Also I want to grab that plate of food off the screen and chow down!

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  13. Can you freeze these waffles?

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  14. Freezing works great! I layer them in plastic wrap and the place in a zip lock bag in the freezer, that way we can remove just one at a time.

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  15. Is 2 tbsp baking powder right amount?

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