Belgian Waffles

 

I’m back.

I’m back from a full-on, soul-searching, up and down, figuratively (and literally) cleaning out of my closets.

You see, I’ve been realizing lately that life sometimes comes full speed at you.  Usually, I like to pride myself of being the one in the driver’s seat, directing the traffic.  I’m a woman who can do it all.  I can manage working 50-60 hours a week in my fellowship, reading 1-2 more hours a night, preparing for conferences, teaching rounds, and various scholarly activities,packing my own lunches, doing my own laundry, cleaning my own apartment, walking the dog, keeping up with friends, maintaining a rapidly growing food blog (which is actually more than a part time job), and trying to get enough sleep to get up and do it all again the next day.  My utmost admiration and respect goes out to those of you who have children.  How do you do it?  You are my heroes.

Recently, though, I was let down pretty harshly by not one, but by a few people, in a very short amount of time.  I have this nasty recurring habit of ignoring red flags and warning signs and just blindly going forward in my Polly Anna way, searching out the very best and actually believing it exists in certain people.  In a solid, yet steady stream of life-changing disappointments in the past few years, a girl can only take so much.  I guess what has hurt the most is that I would never ever treat people in the way that I have been treated.  So, I curled up in the fetal position and let them get the best of me, knowing deep down that it’s not me.  I’ve been through enough in my life to have grown and changed enough to recognize when someone else has work to do.  But, still, it hurts.

I had to force myself back into the kitchen.  Nothing sounded good, nothing looked good, nothing energized me.  Which, if you know me, is dangerous territory.  This blog has been a source of strength for me for almost two years now. And do you know what happened?  Out of the blue, old friends started randomly popping back into my life.  Phone calls, emails, cards, texts.  Unsolicited, and from out of nowhere.  Readers asking where I’ve been.  Dearest friends who see the best in me and just called to remind me of where I come from and who I am. Those people who actually raise me up-the ones I would do anything for.  The ones who really know me.  (You know who you are-thank you.)

So what have I been doing? Literally and figuratively cleaning out my closets.  Getting rid of a lot of clutter and junk that no longer serves its purpose for me. Making way for the new that is rapidly approaching.  Finding my center again, reading, yoga, breathing…you know, all that stuff.  Taking a break.  Taking care of myself and teaching myself that the world won’t stop if I ride in the passenger seat for a while.

Ironically enough, it was while I was cleaning out a closet that I found the waffle maker..that I had used once before in my life, and now it was buried under all the boxes of dishes and props for the blog.  Not to be put away again and forgotten again for an indeterminate amount of time, I broke it out of the box, cleaned every nook and cranny, and made some homemade Belgian waffles from scratch.  A little overly symbolic and sentimental, perhaps, but the gesture didn’t go ignored in my opinion.  So, I’m back.  I’m easing back into things, one at a time, and we all know I couldn’t hold back from baking something with chocolate in it for too much longer. 😉

Thanks for listening.  There are thousands of readers who come here every day, and it means a lot to me that you are here.

Belgian Waffles

Servings: 2

 

Ingredients

1 cup cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, separated

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 cup milk

Non-stick cooking spray

For serving: powdered sugar, maple syrup, fruit, etc.

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.

2. In another bowl (or the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the egg yolks and the sugar on medium-high speed until pale yellow and thick.

3. Add the vanilla, melted butter, and milk to the egg yolk mixture and mix until combined.

4. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. In another bowl (I used my hand mixer for this part), beat the egg whites on high speed until thick and soft peaks form, about 1-2 minutes.

6. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the waffle batter, mixing thoroughly.

7. Preheat your waffle maker, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, spraying lightly with cooking spray before adding the batter.

8. Cook each waffle, according to manufacturer’s instructions, until golden and slightly crisp.  Serve immediately.

 

Source: Food Network.

 

April 30, 2012 - 6:39 am

Annie - Sorry people have been such jerks to you lately. You know I love you.

April 30, 2012 - 8:24 am

Claire - You inspire your readers! 🙂 Cooking, baking, yoga, and time with your dog are the best.

April 30, 2012 - 8:49 am

Clem - glad you’re back!

April 30, 2012 - 8:51 am

Jacqueline - Smart, fun, good writer, dog lover, good cook. Anyone who could possibly be a jerk to you has some serious issues! Good to see your back!

April 30, 2012 - 9:34 am

Jaclyn's Cookies - So glad to see your back. I can’t believe that anyone would dare be mean to you. Hang in there!

April 30, 2012 - 10:01 am

Robyn - sometimes you need to take a break, be selfish and just focus on YOU! it always feels so good to de-clutter your life, and that includes toxic people and their negative energy! glad to hear you’re back in the kitchen. that can be theraputic as well!

April 30, 2012 - 10:38 am

Imi - I’m a new reader and I just want to say that I’m really sorry you’ve had a hard time, but your blog is really inspiring and these waffles look beautiful! 🙂

April 30, 2012 - 11:47 am

Emily @ She Makes and Bakes - Glad you’re back! I love your blog and so many of your recipes. You truly are an inspiration!

April 30, 2012 - 1:28 pm

Ashley - I’m sorry you’ve been having a rough time. It’s awful trying to understand why people can be so mean. I love your blog – keep doing what you do!

April 30, 2012 - 2:49 pm

Ann P. - Oh goodness Shannon, i am so sorry people had to be such blockheads. I know this is late; i just got back into the country and am catching up on all your posts. Just wanted to say that you’re amazing, and I am so glad that you’ve found the strength to pull through and get back in the game. thank you for being YOU. 🙂 Many hugs.

April 30, 2012 - 7:25 pm

Meghan - I recently had a similar experience in my life (or a month of similar experiences)! I’m a grad student and I felt the same way: damnit I do everything around here! So I also literally cleaned out my closets and got back to writing my dissertation with a clear head and an open heart. Good luck to you, Shannon. Your blog is awesome! Don’t let anyone get you down!

April 30, 2012 - 9:05 pm

Kelli - Hello. Your creations are beautiful and so are you! Muah!

April 30, 2012 - 11:30 pm

Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious - Who’s this person who was a jerk to you? I’ll kick his or her ass!

Well, in all seriousness, I’m glad you’re finding a peaceful outlet with this blog. And I’m thrilled you found this waffle iron! These babies are beautiful.

May 1, 2012 - 12:32 am

Pritha - So glad to see a new post – I found your blog through Annie’s Eats, and have been enjoying your recipes. I hope you continue to “clean out your closets” and find strength to help you through the disappointments. 🙂

May 1, 2012 - 5:42 am

Kim K. - I’m so glad you are back. Friends can be so disappointing. Move on and don’t let them get the best of you!

May 1, 2012 - 12:42 pm

Kristin - I’m a sporadic reader at best, but I always feel happy after I read your blog – partly from the mouthwatering recipes but probably mostly from the feeling I get with the thought “she sounds just like me!” Thank you for being so genuine and letting us into your lives through your kitchen. Keep on keepin’ on, girlfriend. You are held in the light by many 🙂

May 2, 2012 - 6:22 pm

Tracy - Welcome back. I’ve been down that road. Instead of looking at those who hurt you, look instead at those who are with you through it all. Those are the ones that matter, and sometimes the ones we forget for that reason.

May 3, 2012 - 3:59 am

Catherine - Hi Shannon! I want you to know that I check this every two days for inspiration. I have missed you! Sending you some good ju-ju.

May 3, 2012 - 7:25 am

Lori - Shannon, You are AhhMazing!!!! Take a cleansing breath and leave the garbage behind. You are Wonder Woman II after Annie Eats! Two doctors with busy schedules who both author two of the best blogs in food blog land. My mornings start every day with a cup a coffee and a visit to my favorite blog sites and you are one of them. Hang in there. Better days are coming!

PS My son starts his journey at St. Bonaventure. Don’t know if he’ll end up in Pre-Med but he’s on the Bio Honors Track. Will keep you posted. 🙂

May 3, 2012 - 3:25 pm

Maheen - I just wanted to let you know you’re an inspiration! I’ve been following your blog for almost a year now. Knowing that you’re juggling your fellowship and expanding your passions and hobby of cooking to a growing blog is really motivating. I’m pre-med in college and absolutely love to cook, so you’re one of the examples of a strong and truly inspiring women for me. 🙂

April 30, 2013 - 3:15 pm

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