Waffles with Blueberry Brandy Syrup and being married to a chef.

The hours a chef works can make things a bit challenging at times. It's hard to make concrete plans and when I'm cooking dinner, I have to be prepared to put things on hold. There is no set 'clock in' and 'clock out' time for a chef. When my husband says he's leaving work at 6pm, 6pm can turn into 7pm, or even 8pm. Although through the years he has gotten a lot better at predicting his leave time. I sometimes feel bad for those newly married to a chef that weren't quite prepared for the long hours a chef works. It's easy to not really think about what the future will be like when all you can think about is the amazing food they cook. ;) One must be a very independent person to be married to a chef, which fortunately I am. I usually have a number of projects going on at one time, so my husband's long hours work for me. His long hours also motivated me to take on most of the cooking at home, which I love!

As with all marriages you take the good with the bad. I'm happy to say there's not much bad, especially when he takes over the cooking on his days off. I know I'm partial, but my husband seriously makes the best waffles and pancakes ever! This past Sunday he topped it off with a blueberry brandy syrup. Simply divine. Yeap, I'd say the good certainly out weighs the long hours he works.



This same waffle mix also makes great pancakes. Just look how fluffy that pancake is! Yes...you read that correct, 'fluffy'.



We finally made use of this sheet pan my husband brought home. It's awesome!



Fluffy and moist!



We make enough of the mix for a few batches and store it. The mix is even healthy, but to make it really good you've gotta add butter and syrup of course.



Waffle/Pancake Mix Recipe:
Roughly enough for 6 batches
5 oz rolled oats
10 oz whole wheat flour
3 oz ground flax seed
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 oz granulated sugar

Directions: Mix all ingredients together.

Waffles/Pancakes (Double if more than 2)
Pancakes: approx. 6
Waffles: 4
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 oz melted unsalted butter
5 oz waffle/pancake mix

Directions: Whisk egg, buttermilk, and butter together. Add dry mix and stir till lumps are gone (do not over mix). Pancakes: spray pancake griddle with non-stick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Pour or ladle approximately 1/4 cup of the mixture onto heated pancake griddle. Waffles: follow waffle maker instructions. Top with your favorite syrup, fruit, etc.

Blueberry Brandy Syrup Recipe:
2 oz unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 oz brandy (2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup blueberries
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt

Directions: In a saucepan over medium heat melt butter. Add sugar, water, brandy, vanilla extract, blueberries, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook till blueberries pop and liquid thickens. Let sit for 3-5 minutes and serve.

Enjoy!

If you don't keep brandy on hand, you can buy a miniature bottle which is between 1-2 ounces. We happened to have brandy left over from the merlot brandy sangrias I made for my 40th. :)