Basic Waffles with Apple, Bacon & Maple Topping

We had a waffle maker when our three sons were growing up but it didn't get used much.  It was just easier to make Pancakes or French Toast.  Those boys sometimes ate food faster than I could make it.  The machine got put away and someplace along the years it disappeared.  My husband John and I recently ate breakfast out and they had some waffles on the menu.  Well, I had to have some.  Well, then I had to have a new waffle maker to make them at home. Well, you know the story......

This is a good basic waffle recipe that is easy to increase or decrease.  For the two of us it is quick and easy to make.  I am hardly ever content to make 'just plain' anything so here are my waffles with apples, bacon and maple topping.  Oh, I also want to say that I think waffles are really good for brunch or dinner, as well as breakfast.  You can even add scrambled or fried eggs on the side if you like! That brown gob on the plate is crunchy peanut butter.  A yummy habit I picked up from John.  There is something about syrup and peanut butter!

                            BASIC WAFFLES

2 cups  All -Purpose Flour

3 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

3/4 teaspoon Salt

2 Eggs

1/4 cup Butter, melted

1 1/2 cups Milk

Combine all the dry ingredients in a medium size mixing bow.  Stir with a wire whisk to evenly mix everything together.  Add in the Eggs, Butter and Milk.  Whisk it all together to moisten and remove any large lumps.  The batter should be thick but pourable.  

Preheat your waffle maker according to your machines instructions.  

Pour 1/2 cup (or the amount suggested by your waffle maker) onto the hot waffle griddle.  Close the lid and press it down lightly to level the batter.  Bake until done according to your waffle maker.  Mine buzzes!  

Remove waffle and serve immediately or waffles may be kept warm in a 200˚ oven while you make additional waffles.    Makes 5-6 waffles

             APPLE MAPLE & BACON TOPPING

4-6 slices Smoked Bacon, cooked crisp, drained and diced - set aside

2-3 Apples, washed, cored and diced small (I leave the peel on)

1/4 cup Maple Syrup

1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

Fry the bacon until crisp in a medium fry pan.  Drain bacon on a paper towel and when cool, dice bacon.  Set this aside.  In the same fry pan, remove all but 1 Tablespoon of the bacon grease.  Saute the diced Apples for about 4-5 minutes in the bacon grease. When the apple is just crisp tender, add the Maple syrup and Cinnamon. Cook until liquid reduces and you have a nice medium syrupy concoction, about 3 - minutes more or until the apples are done the way you like them.  

To serve, place warm Waffles on plate, top with butter, apple topping, diced bacon and drizzle with more maple syrup.  We also like a big spoon of peanut butter on the side!