A Family Tradition-Sunday Waffles with Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup and a Link to Kerrygold Recipes

When I met my wife she informed that her family had a major tradition of Sunday brunch with the main course being waffles.  Alas, as some family members have moved or passed away those brunches have become more of an anomaly versus a regularity.  We do go through changes in life and I appreciate that but I do feel a sense of loss of such a righteous family activity.

With the Coronavirus we don't currently can't attend a live church service although we do watch ours (which is performed in an empty church) via a live stream.  As part of connecting to family and food we have started the tradition of Sunday morning waffles before we watch church.  

The waffle recipe below is a core part of my wife's family.  They have been using it for decades. It was created by my wife's grandfather when he took her uncles on scouting/camping trips. (That is why it has powdered milk  in it.) Later, they started using at the family cabin and that is why it is called the Cabin Recipe.

This recipe  will also work for pancakes, the kind that grandpas make for their grandkids with their initials or other shapes.  Also, the recipe scales down very effectively.  The version below is for eight servings but we scale it down for four servings.  With four servings my wife and I each get two waffles on Sunday and another two as leftovers on Monday.  Leftover waffles are definitely a great way to start the week!

I would like to thank my wife for two things. The first is for sharing this recipe and the second is for translating this recipe.  Grandpa was a mechanical engineer and the way he wrote the recipe reflects that with most measurements in decimal format (example- 0.61 C Powdered Milk)!  My wife converted the quantities and other things so that it would make sense to a non-engineer.


Cabin Waffle Recipe

Eggs	4	Each
Sugar	¼	Cup
Vanilla	1	Teaspoon
Powdered Milk	¾	Cup
Water	2 ½	Cup
Oil	½	Cup
Salt	1	Teaspoon
Flour	4	Cup
Baking Powder	2	Tablespoon

Whip the eggs until fluffy, add the rest of the ingredients in order.  Incorporate the flour and baking powder until just barely mixed.  The batter should still appear lumpy.  Do not overmix.

Substitutions: 3 cups milk for powdered milk & water.  This recipe was created to allow for use while camping.

While the waffle recipe is excellent, there are two things that really put the waffles over the top.  The first one is Kerrygold Butter. Speaking of Kerrygold, I have added a link to their recipe page.

The second is Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup. This is definitely another great Costco product at an excellent price.

And finally, it all comes together in one delicious breakfast.

At some point we will go back to attending church in person and won't have time before church to make waffles and relax eating them.  But we will still have occasional brunch on Sunday and breakfast on Saturday as opportunities to make them.  Now that we have waffles back we aren't going to give them up!

Can You Really Do Breakfast For Two People For $1 a Day? Maybe, If You Use Costco!

Grabbing breakfast at a fast food joint is quick and convenient, but with a little planning, you can be just as quick or even quicker at home. Plus, you can save yourself a ton of money and eat much healthier.  Here is how we do it:

Every Sunday, we make our breakfast for the week.  My lovely wife makes some hard boiled eggs, using eggs we get at Costco. My lovely wife would like to note that if you chill the eggs in ice water, they peel more easily.

While that is going on, I make a big batch of oatmeal in the microwave, with McCann's Imported Quick and Easy Steel Cut Oatmeal.

I make it in the microwave, like the photo below, although you can make it on the stove top if you wish. I just find the microwave a bit easier.

After we cook the oatmeal, we let it cool. Then we put the oatmeal and the peeled hard boiled eggs into soup containers, although you can use any container that you like.

As for the oatmeal when you serve it you can add whatever you want, but some cinnamon is a favorite of mine.

I also tend to add some soy milk.

But maple syrup, dried cranberries, vanilla, sugar, brown sugar, honey, whatever, it is your choice.

Now I have to answer the question, what is the cost for this? The last time we bought eggs, they were two dozen (24)  for $3.19.  If two people eat two each for a total of four, that is about  53 cents.  I don't remember the price of the oatmeal, but one box makes 44 servings and I think it was less than $6.  Trust me on the math, if the oatmeal costs $6 a container,  that is about 27 cents, for two servings and thus you have about 80 cents total.

If you add a lot of stuff to your oatmeal, you will go over $1 for two people for day, no doubt about that.  But if you keep your oatmeal simple, you can squeak by on a $1 a day. And even if you go over and go to say, $1.50, you are still saving a bundle. And this is definitely a nutritious and healthy meal full of protein and whole grains.

Breakfast starts your day, so why not start your day with a satisfying and energizing meal that is easy on your wallet?

Maple and Tangerine Glazed Carrots-And Hello Again

It has been a long time since I have blogged and I regret the absence. Other things in my life have been a diversion but I hope that this marks a return to more regular blogging.  I do want to be clear that I have continued to use the wonderful products you find at Costco, it is just that I have not been writing about them.

As for the recipe I am returning with, it was something I decided to make for Christmas dinner.  I wanted something simple, slightly different, colorful and with at least some nutritional value. After looking through some old cooking magazines, I found this recipe for Maple and Tangerine Glazed Carrots. It looked like an ideal recipe for all the previously mentioned reasons and part of the cooking could be done a day ahead, which made it even more practical for a holiday meal.

It had a broad range of sweet flavors from the tangerine juice, the carrots and Maple Syrup from Costco.

Another important ingredient from Costco was the Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter. I am sorry I don't have a better photo, all we have is an open and very thoroughly enjoyed package of it in the fridge.

As I previously mentioned, aside from the various enjoyable flavors, colors and textures of the dish, a great feature of this dish is that you can do most of the prep work ahead of time. Steaming the carrots and making the glaze the day before is a real time saver. Then all you have to do is  add the carrots to the glaze, simmer the  glaze down a bit and then add a little bit of salt, pepper and parsley. This makes it ideal for entertaining. The final dish was pretty as well as tasty.

I got a lot of compliments on this dish. It had a bright flavor from the tangerines, some sweetness and just a little bit of background heat from the pinch of cayenne pepper. The family was very pleased with the dish and I was completely satisfied in how well it met all of my expectations.  If you are looking for a fun, tasty, easy and practical vegetable dish for entertaining, I give a major thumbs up to this one.

Enjoy and I hope you will come back again soon!