From the Clif Family Kitchen
Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell
Savory Ham and Gruyere Waffles with Clif Family Porchetta spice and fried Egg
Makes 12-14, four-inch by four-inch waffles
Ingredients:
1 ¾ cup – all-purpose flour
1 TBSP – sugar
2 tsp – baking powder
1 tsp – baking soda
1 tsp – Clif Family Porchetta Spice mix
¼ tsp – salt
3 each – egg whites
3 each – egg yolks
½ cup – butter (1 stick), melted
1 cup – buttermilk
¾ cup – sparkling water
1 ¼ cup – grated gruyere (can sub swiss or fontina cheeses)
8 oz – sliced deli ham
*eggs to cook
**cooking spray for waffle pan
Optional Maple Syrup
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 300F. Heat waffle iron until very hot. In a mixing bowl whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, Clif Family Porchetta spice and salt to combine. Using a stand mixer or electric mixer, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form. In another large mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks, melted butter, buttermilk, and soda water until thoroughly combined. Whisk little by little the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a batter is formed. Add all of grated cheese into the batter until combined. To the batter, gently fold in the whipped egg whites in thirds until incorporated.
Coat waffle iron with non-stick vegetable oil spray. Pour about an ounce (2 TBSP) of batter into each waffler iron gently spreading it into corners with back of ladle or spoon.
Next, add slices of ham to cover the size of the waffle.
Lastly, add about another heaping tablespoon of batter over the ham and close the waffle iron to cook.
Cooking times will vary based on the equipment. I’d say between 3 ½ to 5 minutes. Ideally, you are looking for a golden-brown exterior with a crisp crust. Try to cook a waffle before committing to cook all of the batter to learn how long the cook time is for each waffle. You also want to make sure the batter is cooked through. Allow the cooked waffles to be transferred to a baking sheet with a cooling rack.
Once all waffles are cooked, rewarm them in the preheated oven. While waffles are in the low-temperature oven, prepare your pan to cook your eggs. I like to serve a sunny side up egg over the top with a little drizzle of some maple syrup.
This brunch item is sure to please especially with a glass of Clif Family Grenache. Enjoy this recipe for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.