I’ve never really been one for collecting random bits of kitchen equipment. Sure, I have a reasonable number of cookbooks and my shelves are full with an odd assortment of ingredients but with the notable exception of my stand mixer (which I only bought because it was half price) and my much-loved food processor, my kitchen is relatively gadget-free.
I like making pasta at home, for example, but I’ve never really got round to buying a pasta machine. Ditto ice cream. For years, I didn’t even have the most basic of tools – like a frying pan – and we’ve no plans to replace the toaster that died nearly a year ago.
This is partly because I am used to having a very small kitchen with absolutely no storage and it’s hard to think any differently even now that I have the luxury of a bit more space. But it’s also because I seem to have a strange (for me) inability to justify the expenditure. I think nothing of spending £20 on a couple of steaks from the butcher but I balk at spending a similar amount of money on a stick blender.
A little before Christmas, I accidentally bought a waffle iron. Admittedly, I had filled in my payment details and delivery address so it wasn’t that much of an accident but the button at the bottom of the page was badly labelled and I hadn’t quite realised that, by clicking it, I would actually be purchasing something. Or at least, that’s my excuse.
In order to assuage my guilt, therefore, I am determined that I will get good use out of it. Luckily, this is no real hardship.
Since it arrived, we’ve eaten waffles at least once a week, if not more. We’ve made proper Belgian yeasted waffles dotted with chunks of pearl sugar and we’ve made some particularly decadent chocolate chip waffles. I have grand plans for some savoury waffles this weekend.
We’ve settled on these though as our ‘every day’ waffles. Heart and not too sweet, they’re a good vessel for whatever you like and they’re nicely satisfying. Here, I gently roasted some vivid pink forced rhubarb with a little sugar and vanilla and piled it on top of them. A drizzle of the sweet, sticky, cooking syrup makes for a perfect little January breakfast/lunch.
If, like me, you’ve recently (and/or accidentally) bought a waffle iron, here are some waffle recipes that I’ve pinned and can’t wait wait to make:
Aged cheddar waffles from Flourishing Foodie
Overnight oat waffles with lemon zest and poppy seeds from Dolly and Oatmeal
Overnight yeasted waffles from Portuguese Girl Cooks
Belgian brownie waffles from Edible Perspective
Flax waffles from Love and Lemons
Banana bread waffles from Top with Cinnamon
Eggnog waffles from Brooklyn Supper
Sweet potato waffles with cacao nibs from Oh, Ladycakes
I would describe these as lazy waffles - mix your dry ingredients, fold in your wet and then chuck it all in a waffle iron. We have them at least once a week. The buckwheat makes them suitably hearty so that they feel like a substantial breakfast and, depending on what you put on top, can have as much or as little nutritional value as you want.
Ingredients
- 300g (2 stalks) rhubarb
- 1 - 2 tablespoons sugar (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 125g (1 cup) buckwheat flour
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda/bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 240ml (1 cup) buttermilk
- 55g (1/2 stick) butter, melted and cooled
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- I like to start by making the roasted rhubarb so that it's lukewarm by the time I'm ready to eat. It's very simple: preheat your oven to 180C/350F, chop the rhubarb into bitesize chunks, mix with a little sugar and vanilla and roast for about 20 - 25 minutes until it's squidgy but still holds its shape.
- While the rhubarb is cooling, make the waffles by whisking together all of your dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients and then fold into the dry. Leave the batter to stand for a couple of minutes while you pre-heat your waffle iron.
- Spoon the batter into the waffle maker and cook for about 3 minutes each side - I find that these waffles take slightly longer than you might expect.
- Top the waffles with the rhubarb mixture, including plenty of the juice, and syrup/yoghurt/whatever.
Notes
This is really a mash up of Simply Recipes' buckwheat waffles and Ashlae's buckwheat waffle for one. As Elise notes, you could make these waffles lighter by folding in a whipped egg white which is true but I'm not one of those people who has time for whipping up egg whites of a morning and I'm perfectly happy with the consistency of these.
I love that you accidentally purchased a waffle iron! Haha! Glad to see you are getting some good use out of it though as they look wonderful.
Thanks Jennifer, for some reason my boyfriend didn’t believe that it was a proper accident ; )
I too love the thought of accidentally purchasing something… I adore waffles but think I so rarely eat them, I must make ammends… also love rhubarb and so excited by its imminent return… gorgeous pics.
Thanks Dom! I was so excited when I stumbled across a box of the stuff at the local fruit & veg shop. It’s such a nice treat at this time of year.
No only do I love waffles but I’ve wanted a waffle maker with really deep holes for years – yours looks perfect, mistake or not ;D I must say though that my most used tool is an immersion stick blender – I use it almost daily!
That’s interesting! Maybe I should invest in a stick blender; there are lots of recipes that I look at and think I would like to make but can’t.
I love it! I’m on a recent waffle kick as well due to a new waffle iron. I LOVE IT. I just ate a waffle. It was the overnight oat waffles from Dolly and Oatmeal. Make them! You won’t be sorry – they’re probably my favorite recipe I’ve tried so far. Looking forward to trying yours!
I’m definitely going to try those waffles asap, thanks for the recommendation!
Love the beautiful addition of rhubarb! Such a lovely shade to see this time of year, and I’m sure it paired nicely with the grainy buckwheat! So cute and pretty :)
Thanks Lindsey, it’s definitely the perfect combo at this time of year.
I had a nagging feeling the whole time I was reading this and then realised — I also have a buckwheat waffle and rhubarb compote recipe on my blog! Delicious choice, if I do say so.
Also, I may have shared these with you already on Twitter, but if you think chocolate chip is decadent, try these: http://www.eating-for-england.com/chocolate-waffles/
Jesus wept.
Now you’ve made me really sad we no longer have a waffle iron.
Now you’ve said that, I totally remember that post too! I think I may have even commented on it at the time. Apologies for the totally accidental plagiarism! I actually pinned those chocolate waffles of yours the other day, they are getting made asap!
I’ve been restraining myself from buying a waffle iron for months now. I’m back in University housing this year so I can’t justify the purchase just yet. However, there have been so many amazing waffle recipes floating around the web lately (thank you for the above recommendations….they’re not doing anything for my willpower), that I don’t think I’ll be able to resist any longer. Not quite sure yet how I’m going to transport all my kitchen gadgets back home once Uni is over…
A waffle iron will just slip in your bag really easily, it takes up much less space than you imagine… ; )
Mhhh I love baking with buckwheat flour and the waffles sound sooo good.
I really need to buy a waffle iron too, but I think first I will accidentally buy a kitchen machine today…:D
Ha, that’s another good accidental purchase too ; )
We actually have a ton of kitchen appliances but waffle maker is on the short list of things that won’t make the cut until I have a bigger kitchen. I might have to sneak one in, though, because these look fabulous and I have a feeling there are more delicious waffle recipes to come!
Mine takes up surprisingly little room and just slots in in the side of a cupboard very easily! Not that I’m trying to persuade you to buy one or anything ; )
You seem to do a lot with buckwheat! I’ve never really used it. Is the “healthy” or “earthy” flavor easy to mask? Like with whole wheat? Or spelt?
And the waffles look great! You should definitely get a pasta machine. They’re so worth it. :D
I think the flavour of buckwheat is more grassy than earthy – it’s quite distinctive but not unpleasant at all. When I use it, I use it for the flavour so I never really try to mask it but put it with stuff that complements it (like chocolate). It’s a really useful gluten free flour though.
I’m the same way. I have a small kitchen in a 1920s house, and I try not to fill it with gadgets. I’ve gotten rid of a few things, but I still keep the essentials, including a waffle iron. Even though I couldn’t tell you the last time I made them. That will change! I’m thinking this weekend :)
Love love LOVE rhubarb. Thanks for the reminder that spring is on its way :)
Yeah, a waffle iron has definitely become an essential now!
I want a waffle maker!
You should definitely get one!
That roasted rhubarb is calling my name! Yum!
Thanks Katrina!
Um, best accidental purchase ever! Ha. (Can I use it as an excuse when Bowl #2 demands to know why a giant waffle iron has appeared in our kitchen?) These look gorgeous and so delicious. The idea of roasted rhubarb as a waffle topping is genius — so cheerful, too!
Yes, totally use it as an excuse. It works like a charm especially when it’s accompanied by a plate of giant waffles ; )
Buckwheat waffles are my favorite. The texture seems to work out especially well. Oh how I miss rhubarb! I plan to take more advantage this year. These look great!
Thanks Grace!
I REALLY need a waffle iron! Which brand is yours, and would you recommend it? I’ve been eating a lot of rhubarb recently so when I do finally buy a waffle iron, I will definitely be making these!
Thanks Kezia, mine is a belgian waffle maker (hence the slightly deeper holes) from Nordic Ware. I got it from Divertimenti online. I’ve not tried any other waffle makers but I’m very happy with this one, easy to use (if you have a gas hob) and easy to clean.
These waffles look amazing! I may have to accidentally purchase a waffle maker of my own!
I fully support that kind of accidental purchase!
Love your stovetop waffle iron as well as these buckwheat buttermilk waffles! I have a waffle iron but I’m afraid I use it way too seldom… Maybe because it’s difficult to clean :( However, I’m definitely going to make these waffles soon! They are just too tempting.
Thanks Sini, I’m thankful that our waffle iron is relatively easy to clean because I don’t think I would bother if it wasn’t. I hope you enjoy these waffles if you do get a chance to make them : )
Good for you re: not hoarding kitchenware. I’m the exact opposite — my cupboards are filled to the brim with silly, one-time use gadgets like an immersion blender and a Dutch poffertjes pan. And to think I’m missing an essential like a food processor! Shame on me.
These waffles look lovely — I love buckwheat and rhubarb on anything. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
Ha, it takes a lot of discipline not to indulge in all kind of gadgets, I can assure you!
I’m obsessed with my waffle iron – I’m surprised at how often I use it. Buckwheat waffles are a big hit in our house :)
I’ve been surprised by how often I use mine too (and how easy it is!). It’s such a treat to be able to have waffles on the table in 10 minutes or so.
I think a waffle iron seems a bit like a pasta maker – it’s much prettier than all of those other plastic-y gadgets and so therefore it’s OK to have it on display in your kitchen! Have never made waffles before but this post made me want to run out and buy one!
That’s a good point, mine is tucked away in a cupboard at the moment but it could definitely live on the side (and you may have just convinced me to get a pasta maker too!)
This post made me laugh because for years, I, er, waffled about whether or not to get a waffle iron. It just seemed so specific–an appliance that *just does one thing*, you know? And then I finally got one over the summer because I wanted to put a waffle recipe in my cookbook and I haven’t used it since. But lazy waffles work for me!
I think it’s all about lazy waffles. Knowing that I can go from nothing to a plate of waffles in 10 minutes is a great incentive to get it out of the cupboard so often!
I adore that beautiful forced rhubarb that you guys get in the UK. These look perfect.
It’s such a treat I admit, it’s so nice to have something so bright and fresh and this time of year.
Love this post! Although I love rhubarb, I rarely cook with it and, on the rare occasion that I do it usually ends up in a pie. I’ve never thought to roast it. Great idea. I just stumbled upon your blog this evening and look forward to popping back — great stuff. I have a blog that I run from here in NYC…feel free to drop by :)
Thanks Angela, I’ll definitely check out your blog. Lovely to ‘meet’ you!
Well, gooood morning! If ever there was a waffle to convince me to finally get a waffle maker, it’d be these. Amazing recipe, Kathryn.
Oh, you definitely need one Georgia!
I am the same way. I try not to have a ton of appliances, but a waffle maker is a must. Just had mine out today. SO good!
Loving the buckwheat and the roasted rhubarb!
Thanks Tieghan!
Unlike you I have to say I do like buying things for the kitchen, but really don’t have room for it all either! Kitchen Aid Mixer, Ice cream machine, Mixer, coffee machine! Now having seen what you can produce with a waffle iron, I want one of those too! Best not tell the hubbie, although he might not mind if I start making them at the weekend for him.
I have found that a plate of waffles on a Saturday morning is an excellent way to get someone to agree that purchasing a waffle iron was a very good idea!
I too accidentally bought a waffle iron just before Christmas! Although you are doing much better than me at actually putting it to good use.. mines yet to make it out of the box! Bad eh.
Trust me, once you take it out the box, you’ll struggle to want to eat anything other than waffles again!
Well, I think I was pretty intentional about buying my waffle iron and now I mostly feel that I don’t use it enough! Definitely time to change that. I love that this recipe has buckwheat flour in it…it’s hearty nutty flavor goes so well at breakfast.
Totally. And it’s nice to have a breakfast that feels like a treat without being too indulgent.
ha, congrats on your waffle iron purchase – even if it was accidental, it seems like it was meant to be :). Lovely recipe :)
Ha, yeah, I’m going to call it fate I think ; )
These waffles sounds awesome. Buckwheat and rhubarb are the perfect mix of hearty and sweet. And you can NEVER go wrong with a waffle iron :)
This is what I’ve rapidly learnt! Thanks Deanna : )
HIP HIP FOR WAFFLE IRONS! And a fancy one, at that. I, admittedly, own two waffle irons and convinced Thom that the second waffle iron purchase was an accident (ahem, it wasn’t) (WAFFLE ADDICT OVER HERE). I’ve been topping mine with roasted (frozen) blueberries, but as soon as I can get my hands on some rhubarb, I’m alllllllll over that stuff.
Why have I never thought of roasting blueberries? You, Ms Ashlae, are one clever lady.
Lol I love that you ‘accidentally’ bought the waffle iron! I intentionally bought mine but rarely use it now. But I should change that. These waffles look so good!!
I have the tiniest kitchen ever in London, and also can’t afford to hoard kitchen gadgets.. I do however collect plates and pretty cutlery- many of my purchases ‘accidental’ too ;) That said, the waffles look stunning, so I would say you’ve done well with this purchase! Love rhubarb this time of the year, cant wait to get my hands on some once I’m back!
I’ve been on a chocolate waffle mission lately.. and it’s reminded me how much I love waffle in general. These look lovely!
I admire your kitchen gadget restraint. I, on the other hand, do not possess any restraint whatsoever. Your excellent photographs above lead me to purchase a waffle iron within 20 minutes of reading your post. Thank you for highlighting a gadget I don’t own: I think my weekend mornings will be most pleased with this new purchase!
Very skeptical of this accidental claim. ;-) I’m actually a total gadget-er. Beardy Fiance will splurge loads on electronics, but for me, a nice £15 gadget doesn’t feel like too much of an indulgence!
Your waffles look so good – I like using buckwheat, it has such a unique flavor. The rhubarb is a great addition, too! Lovely breakfast.
A waffle iron is one of the few appliances I still don’t have… and every time I see a delicious recipe (like this gorgeous one here) I find myself tempted to buy one. Absolutely beautiful!
Kathryn, you are adorable. I love that you have a nearly gadget-free kitchen, but bought a waffle-iron. You have your priorities straight;)
And I have so say… your waffles look absolutely delish! And I love the roasted rhubarb topping.
xoxo
E
We were JUST talking about how nobody uses rhubarb except for strawberry rhubarb pies. This is great! Thanks for sharing!
Okay folks. Make this recipe, it’s a winner. Thanks Kathryn for this Wednesday night deliciousness! Will definitely make these waffles again.
Love rhubarb AND buckwheat AND waffles. These are amazing! Thanks for the waffle shout out. :)
Finally made these today! Even with just maple syrup and a few crushed walnuts on top, so good. Thanks for the streamlined version. My buckwheat is a lot darker but, very good!
kathryn these were so amazing! i hadn’t used buckwheat flour in a long time because the few things i had made with it i didn’t really like. obviously i just needed to try this waffle recipe :) so light, crisp on the edges and nutty. since i’m trying to stay away from dairy i used 1 cup light coconut milk mixed with 2 teaspoons lemon juice to make a “buttermilk” and you would have never known the difference. thank you friend!