I loved Saturday mornings as a kid, and not for the cartoons. Growing up, we happily climbed into the minivan early in the morning. We didn’t mind because we were going to Great Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Roy, Utah, for waffles. Their small house was packed with aunts, uncles, cousins and hungry children.
I’m not sure how many waffle irons were running, but it’s surprising that they didn’t blow a fuse. I was just a little girl, but I can still remember the smell of their old house, fresh waffles and almost getting hit in the head with everyone’s elbows as they shuffled around the rooms.
We started the waffle parties at my great grandparents’ house, and after they moved out of their home, we had waffles at my grandma’s house. When I visit, we still do waffles at my grandma’s house or my parents’ house. I could say it’s not so much about the food, but more about all of us gathering together — but really, it’s both.
People don’t like to gather over bad food, especially for the first meal of the day.
Lucky for us, it’s great company AND food.
The great waffle get-togethers started with my dad’s side of the family, but my favorite recipe, and the one I use constantly is from my maternal grandmother, though my mom is the one who really has turned it into her own.
My mom, Gloria, grew up in a family of 10 kids, and I can’t even think of how many times they had to multiply the recipe to feed everyone.
I love this recipe so much that when my sister came to visit me, I asked her to bring me freshly ground wheat flour from my mom. We make these with all-wheat flour, half white flour, half wheat, or anything in between. These require a little more work with whipping the egg whites, but it’s worth it for the fluffiness.
There is no wrong time or way to eat a waffle. Breakfast? Yep. Dinner? Yep. Reheated from the freezer? Yep. We’ve had waffles for both of our girls’ first birthday dinners, and it’s been a huge hit. Soft food with lots of finger food toppings, yes, please! I like a holiday based around food, so I was thrilled to find out International Waffle day is this month on March 25!
So, all you mamas around the world, get out your maple syrup, Nutella, berries, peanut butter or whatever you like or can find at your duty station, and try Gloria’s Glorious Waffles for International Waffle Day on March 25th!
