Savory Cheddar and Green Chile Cornmeal Waffles
Jalapeños are the most popular chile peppers in the US. This is probably due to the availability and versatility of the chile. Jalapeños have a balanced combination of flavor and heat. The demand for these have caused breeders to develop a broad range of varieties.
Makes 3 waffles (the perfect amount for 2 hungry people)
Salsa:
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut into small pieces
1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp chopped green onions
1 small jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (seeded if less heat desired)
1 tsp fresh lime juice
a pinch of salt
Waffles and Assembly:
2 large green chile peppers (such as Anaheim), halved lengthwise and seeded
½ cup flour
½ cup cornmeal
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
3/4 c milk
1 egg
2 Tbsp butter, melted
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Additional toppings: poached eggs, sliced avocado, cilantro sprigs, and/or hot sauce.
1. Make the salsa by combining all salsa ingredients in a bowl and stirring together until well mixed. Let salsa sit while you make the waffles.
2. Roast green chiles: place peppers, skin side up, in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil. Place baking sheet on top rack in oven and broil on high until peppers are blackened and blistering, about 10-12 minutes.
3. Immediately transfer peppers to a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let peppers sit inside the bowl for 5-10 minutes (this steams them, which will make the skins much easier to remove).
4. Peel charred skins off of peppers, discard skins and chop peppers into small pieces.
5. While peppers are steaming, mix up your waffle batter. Stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add in the milk, egg, and melted butter and mix well.
6. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped roasted chile peppers.
7. Preheat waffle iron, and once hot, pour on ⅓ of the batter and cook according to your waffle iron’s instructions. Repeat with the remaining batter – you should end up with 3 waffles total.
8. Serve waffles topped with fresh salsa, and any and all other toppings you can think of. My combo of salsa, avocado, poached egg, cilantro, and hot sauce is pretty darn awesome – highly recommend.