waffle wake-up call!

Aaah! The coffeepot is brewing, the newspaper is at your door and your pajamas have never felt this comfortable. And just as you're about to dive into your daily horoscope, your little one wakes up and wants something delcious for breakfast... and toast isn't going to cut it. This morning calls for waffles! And not just any ol' waffle recipe will do, it needs to have a feather-light center, a crispy-crusty exterior and plenty of butter and maple syrup. This waffle recipe will give you (and your wee one) a good reason to get out of bed in the morning!

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

1 Tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup boiling water

1 cup milk (soymilk & buttermilk both work well)

2 larges eggs, separated (place the yolks in one bowl and the egg whites in another bowl)

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

(1.) Lightly oil or brush melted butter on waffle iron and heat.

(2.) Whisk (or stir) together the cornmeal, sugar, salt and water in a medium saucepan. Cook, over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture turns thick, about 3 minutes . Remove from the heat and whisk in the milk.

(3.) Place the cornmeal mixture in a large bowl. Add the egg yolks, flour, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter. Stir until combined.

(4.) Beat the egg whites until stiff - make sure that the bowl, beaters and any utensils that you're using does not have oil on them. Even the smallest traces of fat will deflate the egg whites and will not allow it to get foamy with volume.

(5.) Fold the egg whites into the batter. Use a large rubber spatula and gently stir with scooping movements. Start at the top of the bowl and move to the bottom of the bowl, gently incorporating the ingredients.

(6.) Ladle 1/3 to 1/2 cup of batter into the center of a heated, greased waffle iron.
(7.) Close the lid and bake until steaming stops and waffle is golden brown, 2 - 5 minutes (unless you have a high-tech 90-second machine).

(8.) Serve immediately with room temperature butter and warm maple syrup.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves: 7 - 8 waffles
Freeze extra waffles in a freezer-proof bag or plastic containers.