Banana-Nut Waffles

Ok, I saw this recipe and knew I needed to make them PRONTO! It immediately reminded me of this Pancake Restaurant in Champagne, IL that we have gone to when visiting my cousins. Both times I have ate there I've gotten some sort of Banana-Nut Pancakes, I'm salivating just writing this! Top it off with some fresh banana slices, chopped walnuts and pure maple syrup! Done and Done!

Banana-Nut Waffles

adapted from Veganomican

1 3/4 cups soymilk

1/4 cup water

2 teaspoons apple-cider vinegar

2 medium bananas

1/2 cup cauliflower puree

3 tablespoons canola oil

3 tablesppons pure maple syrup or agave nectar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon ground flax

1 tablesppon soy protein powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Preheat your waffle iron on medium heat. In a small bowl, stir together the soymilk, water and apple cider vinegar and set aside. The mixture will begin to thicken/curdle. This is going to be your vegan "buttermilk.". Just a few minutes is all it takes.

Mash the bananas very well and then add in the cauliflower puree, "buttermilk", canola oil, syrup and vanilla.

Note: you can't find cauliflower in baby food so you will have to make this yourself. All you do is cut up a cauliflower using just the florets. Place the florets is a steamer basket and steam for about 8 minutes. When they are done place into a blender and blend until completely pureed. Pour out into ice cube trays and keep in the freezer. Each "ice cube" portion ia approximately 1 ounce so you would need 4 in this recipe. Put into microwave to thaw out prior to using in recipe and keep the remainder in the freezer for future recipes!!

 Next add in the flour, ground flax, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Combine it all using a fork until minimal lumps remain. Do not overmix. Then fold in the walnuts, just until combined.

Spray your waffle with a high-heat non-stick spray. The mixture will be thicker than the usual waffle batters you are used to so you will have to spoon the mixture into the iron using a 1/4 cup measuring cup and then spread the batter out evenly using the back of the measuring cup. It will take around 6-7 minutes depending on your waffle iron til done. Don't try to open your waffle iron too early or your waffle will split in half. Yield 6 full circle waffles.