Crispy Grain-Free Waffles
Provided by: Chef Nicola Raadsma
I don’t know about you but I sometimes feel challenged to find breakfast recipes that are healthy, delicious and satisfying. I can’t eat eggs and I try to eat grain-free as much as possible. I also avoid refined sugar and artificial sweeteners. I love a good waffle but have tried other recipes for grain-free versions that just didn’t do it for me but this recipe is a winner. The pairing of these grain-free waffles and raw apple sauce, sweetened only with dates and cinnamon hits the mark especially now as we come into the autumn months when I want something warm and a little spicy that I can enjoy with a nice cup of hot tea in the morning.
But you might wonder, why raw apple sauce? I recently heard an interview on NPR with Dr. James Hamblin who writes for the Atlantic. The discussion centered around probiotics and some of the latest findings. He said that “an apple contains more than 100 million bacteria; a more diverse range than any dietary supplement.” The catch is that the apple needs to be organically grown and you have to eat the whole apple, core and all to reap the benefits. If you are interested, you can find more information on this study by googling “The Atlantic” and searching for “The Best Probiotics.”
Here are the recipes and if you aren’t familiar with some of the ingredients in the waffle recipe, don’t be intimidated. You can find them at any health food store or in the gluten-free or health food section of most supermarkets.
Crispy Grain-Free Waffles
Ingredients
2 cups finely ground almond flour
1 cup tapioca starch/flour
*1 Tbsp. flax meal plus 6 Tbsp. warm water
1 cup almond or coconut milk
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup of real maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup of coconut oil, melted
*You can either buy flaxseed meal of if you have whole flax seeds just grind them in a coffee grinder that has been cleaned out.
Directions
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour, tapioca flour, and baking powder. Whisk or stir to combine well.
- In a small bowl or coffee cup, whisk together flax meal and warm water. Set aside until thick and egg-like.
- In a small bowl or large measuring cup combine the almond or coconut milk and the apple cider vinegar. Allow to sit while you melt the coconut oil on the stove.
- To the milk and AVC mixture, add flax meal, maple syrup, vanilla and finally, the melted coconut oil. Whisk well to combine and quickly add to dry ingredients.
- Stir batter just until combines. Using a 1/4 cup scoop, pour batter onto preheated waffle iron and cook until golden brown.
Top with a big scoop fo raw apple sauce (recipe below) and enjoy!
Raw Apple Sauce
In addition to the probiotic benefits of eating whole raw apples, the pectin found in apples is very detoxifying and the cinnamon added to the recipe can help lower blood sugar levels. Dates are a natural sweetener and are full of fiber which helps slow the release of sugar in the bloodstream so this recipe is a win win all around.
Ingredients
2 whole organic apples ( I personally like fujis or pink ladies. Use your favorite apple)
1 tsp. cinnamon or more to taste
6 pitted dates
1/8 cup water
Directions
- Leave the skin of the apples on and cut them up, core and all, into medium-sized chunks.
- Put in blender with cinnamon, dates, and water and blend until the apples reach a fairly smooth consistency. It will be a little chunkier than cooked apple sauce. A Vitamix or Ninja style blender works best but you can use a food processor or regular blender also.
PS if you want to add a little kick and even more health benefits, try adding some grated raw ginger to taste.
* Waffle recipe adapted from The Real Food Dieticians
To read more about Chef Nicola, visit her recipe Watermelon Quinoa Kale Salad. Her Personal Chef services, available for the Wichita, KS, include an introductory free consultation, meal planning, shopping, preparation, cooking, and clean-up. Nicola can be reached by phone at (707)327-7806 or email at nmraadsma@gmail.com.
