food to glow

 

Falafels as waffles is a thing. This is because anything as waffles is a thing.

People are waffling grilled cheese (standard), mac and cheese, tamales, frittatas, hash browns, polenta, crab cakes – you get the idea. However, if you are craving something healthy, lightly spiced, not too carby, but still very much waffle-shaped, grab your waffle iron, open that bag of chickpea flour that I just know you have (what with all the chickpea flour recipes I have on here), and let’s get waffling!

My falafel waffles are a pretty fun way to make waffles out of what is essentially a tarted up socca/farinata batter. These thin, lacy 4-ingredient pancakes – that I love to top with all manner of savoury goodies – are transformed into fluffy, light falafel-spiced waffles with the addition of some crushed chickpeas, spices, (optional) wild garlic, nettles, and two eggs. These are too easy not to have a go making up, especially if you like your breakfast and brunch full of protein and healthy ingredients. Two of these waffles will keep you going long after you have washed up the waffle maker and headed out for the day.

If you are dithering over this easy breakfast/brunch/lunch recipe because you a) don’t have a waffle iron, and b) have no good place to pick some wild garlic and young nettles, then cease your hesitation: these make great pancakes; and just use a little garlic and some chopped, cooked spinach, fresh parsley or coriander. Or skip straight to the warm spices. All will be well. You are waffling after all.

I am very lucky to be able to forage for wild garlic and young nettles in the woods behind my house, but I know that not everyone has access to patches of moist woodland or riverbanks where these wild foods thrive.

Wild garlic is sometimes available at farmer’s markets and farm shops but probably not for a few more weeks, when the woods will be honking filled with the aroma. 🙂 Thankfully for work colleagues and intimate loved ones wild garlic never is as strong as the scent, but the young stuff that is peeking its way through the leaf litter is very mild and more socially acceptable for eating in the first half of the day.

Know what you are eating. I don’t mean to nag, but always be sure that what you are picking is edible. Wild garlic (or ransoms as it is sometimes called) in its young, flowerless, state looks quite like bulb plants such as snowdrops, bluebells, star of Bethlehem and lily of the valley that often grown with it. Here is a link to help you tell the difference. Richard Mabey’s classic forager’s guide, Food For Free is my go-to for plants about which I am unsure (thank you Rachel for my beautiful hardbook copy). Better yet, go on a foraging course with an expert. In Scotland, my recommendation is Monica Wilde (nominative determinism in action!). Lastly, check out this UK forager’s calendar from Wild Mushroom’s Online to find out what’s edible and when – it’s a fabulous resource.

Although this is patently a savoury recipe, do add a touch of flavoursome local honey to the chickpeas to give a veiled nod to Western custom of the sweet waffle. Just please don’t cover it in bacon!

I’m popping this over to a couple of appropriate blog round-ups. Do come join in with your own veggie or seasonal recipes! Now over to Feeding Boys for Simple and in Season, Meatfree Monday at Tinned Tomatoes, and A Mummy Too’s Recipe of the Week  Go have a look and see what else my fellow food lovers are up to. 🙂

Other Waffle Recipes, Wild Garlic Recipes and Chickpea Flour Recipes on Food To Glow

Waffles with Attitude (savoury)

A Foraged Savoury Cake for Easter (SEE ABOVE)

Wild Garlic Soup (a very economical recipe)

Wild Garlic, Lemon & Ricotta Toast

Wild Garlic Pizza, Pesto and Pasta (three recipes!)

Rosemary & Thyme Chickpea Pancakes

Spring Vegetable Brunch Pancake

Farinata Lasagne (chickpea pancakes instead of pasta!)

Fresh and Light Open Vegetable Lasagne 

Recipes From Others

Wild Garlic & Basil Pesto with Baobab

Gram Flour Tortilla Chips

Cauliflower & Cavolo Nero Pakoras

Dark Chocolate Dipped Ginger Biscuits

Chickpea Flour Pizza

Teff Salad with Wild Garlic 

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