Nom...Nom..Nom..Yummy waffles

I am crazy about waffles! It all started over a ski/snowboard weekend in Collingwood, ON, a few months back. We had lunch at Café Chartreuse when a friend ordered yeast waffles for dessert. I was told it was the best waffle they have ever had and they always order it whenever they're there. I thought nothing of it - how can a waffle be that good?! Don't get me wrong - I like waffles as much as the next person, but I never found them to be that spectacular or very memorable...until that day. I was offered a bite - literally, one bite, and that was it - I was in love. All I can say is - it was the best waffle I have ever eaten.

Now months later, I am obsessed with waffles. I finally bought myself a Stove-Top Belgium Waffler and now I am in search for the best waffle recipe I can get my hands on. My task is to serve the same group of friends waffles that at least elicit the same feelings as those made at Café Chartreuse. I have until late September to make this happen since we'll be travelling together again at that time, but this time, to a place where we won't have access to electricity (hence, the stove-top waffler).

I'm a little late at tracking my progress, but I figured I'd start now. The waffle I made today is not made with yeast - it's chemically leavened, but still delicious. The original recipe is from Fine Cooking - Light, Crisp Waffles, but today, I made a few modifications which includes:

• Reduced the amount of salt by half
• Made my own version of "buttermilk" by using 1 part 10% cream, 1 part water, and 3/4 tbsp lime juice.
• Replaced the milk with evaporated milk.
• Reduced the amount of oil to 5 tbsp., instead of 6.
• Added almond extract in addition to the vanilla

Results: 

Waffles were delicious (if I do say so myself). Light and crisp as the recipe promised. They're a bit on the oily side, so next time, I plan on reducing the amount of oil further. The almond extract didn't come through, so I'm thinking of reducing the amount of vanilla and increasing the almond, just because I love almond flavouring.

Luckily today I had some friends over to help eat them. I've been eating way too many waffles lately...