The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsAm I being an Ugly American if I confess I like American styled waffles better than Belgian waffles?
Don't get me wrong. If someone offers me a Belgian waffle, I'll gladly take it. I like them. There's nothing wrong with Belgian waffles.
But if I am offered a choice between an American waffle and a Belgian waffle, I'll take the American waffle every time.
Why?
Well, I just find American waffles to be more dense and flavorful as a waffle itself. You stick them with butter and syrup and it's an unbeatable combination. Slice them up in triangular segments like a pizza and it's a mouthful of goodness.
Belgian waffles are nearly impossible to get that similar cut--you try cutting them and you just get a bunch of random pieces. And because they're so tall and light, you don't get the wonderful mix when you pair them with syrup and butter like you do with American waffles.
And while Belgian waffles frequently are topped generously with fruit and whipped cream, I find those toppings take away from the waffle itself, rather than complement it. You almost forget that the waffle's there.
Like I said, not a knock against Belgian waffles, but waffles are one thing where I do have to agree...America first. America first.
orangecrush
(19,237 posts)underpants
(182,281 posts)I'm kinda waffling on this one
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,085 posts)Sneederbunk
(14,208 posts)underpants
(182,281 posts)Floyd R. Turbo
(26,231 posts)underpants
(182,281 posts)and thats aalst I'll say.
Floyd R. Turbo
(26,231 posts)dameatball
(7,380 posts)Tommy_Carcetti
(43,085 posts)What sorcery!
Tell me more. Please!
dameatball
(7,380 posts)NRaleighLiberal
(59,940 posts)When I was young (and my daughters were young!) - I loved the toaster thinner waffles, spread with butter, then a generous coating of powered sugar - turned it into instant buttercream icing. No need for maple syrup!
I make Belgian Waffles with fresh batter, and load them with fresh picked, cut strawberries and real maple syrup.
I would have to flip a coin for my favorite of the two! But...not really comparable!
MaryMagdaline
(6,849 posts)Don't put lemon in my coke, please. I can live without ice but Coca Cola needs no lemon.
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)I think there's still a 5-pack of diet lemon coke in my grandpa's pantry from like 25 years ago - my dad was visiting and bought a six-pack and took one sip of one. That was enough experimentation for him and nobody else even tried. I still remember the look of disappointment on his face when it wasn't everything he had imagined it would be.
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)I prefer the American pancakes over the crappy Dutch version. America first!
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Some of them European's don't know how it's done, clearly.
Gimme a Chicago-style dog any DAY ... preferably one without sweet relish though, not a fan. Should be dill pickle.
pansypoo53219
(20,908 posts)FreepFryer
(7,077 posts)HopeAgain
(4,407 posts)d_r
(6,907 posts)Or Belgian fries?
elleng
(130,156 posts)kairos12
(12,817 posts)syringis
(5,101 posts)You never got a real Belgian waffle
It is one of the most iconic pastry of Belgian bakery. There is more than 600 recipes. Different in taste, shape and texture. Some are crunchy, some are fluffy, some have a brioche like consistency, some are filled, and so on...
My favourite one is the Brussel's waffle. It is a big one with large holes, very light (no sugar, no milk, not much butter), a little crunchy. It must be eaten hot, as soon as it come out of the waffle maker.
You can put sugar on or fruits or what you like. I love it with fresh strawberries and a little chantilly.
It is an old photo but it gives you an idea (I'm an awful photograph)
My big passion is cooking and baking.
Waffle makers have different molds depending of which kind of waffles you make. There are other molds, not only those on the pic.
Waffles are taken very seriously here
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,085 posts)Some I like better than others, but I'll gladly indulge in whatever waffle you put before me.
Except, of course, an awful waffle.
syringis
(5,101 posts)I agree.
To me, it also depends on the season. I like some better when it is cold, others in summer, and there is a few ones enjoyable all the year
One of my favorite waffle is one filled with fruits. It is a brioche like pastry. It requires a special mold, I don't think I have posted it.
I never tried American waffles. Is there any good recipe you can give me ?
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,085 posts)Usually made with flour, baking soda, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla.
If you are ever stateside, I highly suggest a visit to the Waffle House. It's less of a meal than it is a cultural experience. I've usually gone for breakfast but I've heard nighttime at 2 or 3 in the morning is sometimes the best to get the full Waffle House experience.
And yes, those stuffed waffles of yours do look pretty good.
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)but only remember 2 times ever getting a waffle lol. Not because they are bad - in fact, they were delicious (of course, everything tastes better from older, heavy southern lady who calls you sweetheart or Hon') - but I just really love their omelettes. Late night/early morning on the way back from a concert in Tampa they are my go-to stop.
I don't care for most waffles with fruit on them. Butter and maple syrup is the best. BUT there's a place here called Metro Diner (they have other locations and the Jacksonville one was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives once) that occasionally has a special on waffles and they put all kinds of things in them including bananas and blueberries and cheese cake etc... I love Metro Diner so much I trust them to put anything in my mouth. I once had a cheeseburger there and the bun was two grilled-cheese sandwiches.
syringis
(5,101 posts)Well, I'm planning to take a long trip to visit your country. I'm just waiting the next President. Not too long from now
And for sure, I will not miss a visit to the Waffle House.
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)Lars39
(26,093 posts)egg whites folded in to the batter.
It is not just a slightly altered pancake batter poured into a waffle iron, as a lot of people here in the US think.
Lint Head
(15,064 posts)cookie.
I like 'em too.
FSogol
(45,360 posts)mpcamb
(2,855 posts)Laffy Kat
(16,356 posts)Never understood what the big deal was about Belgian waffles. They are more cake-like, IMO.
Hey, you know what's REALLY yummy? Blueberry waffles with coconut butter and just a touch of real maple syrup.
nocalflea
(1,387 posts)Much more progressive and egalitarian.
" A pancake in every pan !"
"Got a pan ? Got pancakes ! "
No fancy, foreign, wafflerer thingy needed.
Yavin4
(35,357 posts)Pancakes are liberal. You can make them in any shape. Don't need specialized, fancy cooking equipment.
nocalflea
(1,387 posts)The creativity, the imagination, the "outside the circle" thinking involved in the shaping and decorating of pancakes is not available to the small, "march to my tune only" fascist mind.
Pancake shaping is testimony to our common humanity. Heart shaped, dog shaped ("fancy french poodle" with liquorice eyes and cotton candy "tufts" is a family favorite ), star shaped , flower shaped, Mickey Mouse shaped, Hello Kitty shaped, Dinosaurs ! ...
Don't get me started on the mixing of flavors in the batter.
braddy
(3,585 posts)malthaussen
(17,066 posts)You're fully entitled to your perversion.
-- Mal
ashling
(25,771 posts)And I do not base my answer upon the fact that you are probably right. Well, actually you're not, butthat is another thread.
However, if you went to Belgium and roamed the streets of major - or even minor - Belgian cities, harranguing Belgian Belgian Waffle vendors and their customers and / or prospective customers about how American Waffles are so much better than those tacky Belgian Belgian Waffles which are not worth EXPLETIVE REDACTED, then you would most definitely be considered an ugly Trumpmerikan.
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)An authentic Belgian waffle is very much different than the bastardized American version. The American version of the Belgian waffle uses the same recipe as the American version, but simply uses a waffle maker designed to make them thicker. So you don't really get a Belgian waffle. What you get is a thicker American waffle.
Authentic Belgian waffles aren't made with a baking powder batter recipe. They are made from yeast dough that include fermentation and proofing stages. They have a crispy caramelized exterior and are soft, but still dense on the inside. While you can certainly get them topped with all sorts of things, including fruit and whipped cream, they are more often eaten by hand as you would a slice of toast with no toppings.
zanana1
(6,085 posts)Thank you for educatin' me.