Savory Waffle Brunch

Sunday is usually the one day out of the week when I get to cook a meal for my parents and myself so this Sunday I made brunch. A waffle's usual toppings are fruity and sweet with things like berries, syrup, and whipped cream. Don't get me wrong, that all sounds amazing, but all those sweets just end up making me hungry shortly after due to lack of protein so instead of drowning this waffle in syrup I topped it with sauteed kale, black bean chili, and a fried egg! Plenty of protein that'll keep you satisfied.  

Cornbread Waffle

Ingredients

- 5 handfuls roughly chopped kale

- 1/2 onion (red, yellow, white)

- 1 can Amy's black bean chili (any other canned chili or even a homemade chili will work also)

- 1 egg per plate

- shredded cheddar cheese to garnish

- extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

for the waffle:

- 1/2 c whole wheat flour

- 1/3 c cornmeal

- 2 T wheat germ

- 1/2 t aluminum free baking powder

- 1/4 t salt

- 1/2 t black pepper

- 1/2 t smoked paprika

- 1/4 t cumin

- 1 c milk (skim, almond, low-fat buttermilk)

- 3 T applesauce 

- 2 egg whites

Directions

For the waffle - sift all the dry ingredients together then in a separate bowl mix all the wet ingredients together then add wet to dry and mix until just combined. For the kale - heat around 2-3 T of EVOO over medium-high heat in a saute pan and add onion. When onions start to sweat reduce heat to medium and add kale and cover. In the meantime, warm chili in a small pot covered over low heat. Back to the waffle - heat waffle iron and spray with non stick spray or EVOO and ladle 1/2 c of batter over each waffle eye. Cook for about 3 minutes, batter should yield 6 waffles. While waffles cook, season sauteed kale with salt and pepper, cover and reduce heat to low. In a separate pan add 3-4 T EVOO and fry up an egg per person (in my case it was 3). By the time the eggs are finished so should everything else so to assemble place a waffle on each plate and top with kale, then chili, then the fried egg, top with cheese and a sprinkle of pepper and viola! Brunch is served.

*This might seem like a lot to do but it took me maybe 20 mights to bang all this out. Prepare your ingredients orderly and just relax. Healthy and soulful food should be enjoyable to cook and eat! 

XOXO,

Claire