Pumpkin Waffles with Muscovado Syrup

(recipe, Mani Niall)

primary-image, l

Introduction

The pumpkin in this recipe is a good example of how I like to use healthful ingredients whenever I can to pump up the nutritional value of sweets. Pumpkin is considered a "superfood" by many nutrition experts, as it is packed with antioxidant carotenoids that have been shown to prevent some kinds of cancer. Muscovado sugar makes a thick, dark syrup rivaled only by maple syrup in richness and taste. Use either light or dark sugar, depending on whether you prefer a mild or robust flavor. The muscovado is the perfect match for the slightly savory notes in these pumpkin waffles. Be sure to use the syrup the same day as it is made, as it will recrystallize if held longer.

Introduction

The pumpkin in this recipe is a good example of how I like to use healthful ingredients whenever I can to pump up the nutritional value of sweets. Pumpkin is considered a "superfood" by many nutritional experts, as it is packed with antioxidant carotenoids that have been shown to prevent some kinds of cancer. Muscovado sugar makes a thick, dark syrup rivaled only by maple syrup in richness and taste. Use either light or dark sugar, depending on whether you prefer a mild or robust flavor. The muscovado is the perfect match for the slightly savory notes in these pumpkin waffles. Be sure to use the syrup the same day as it is made, as it will recrystallize if held longer.

Ingredients

Syrup

1½ cups light or dark muscovado sugar, packed
1½ cups light or dark muscovado sugar, packed

Waffles

1⅓ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, preferably organic
1⅓ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, preferably organic
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup solid-pack pumpkin
1 cup solid-pack pumpkin (or 1 cup Pumpkin Purée)
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
2 large eggs, separated
2 large eggs, separated
3 Tbsp. muscovado sugar, light or dark, packed
3 Tbsp. muscovado sugar, light or dark, packed
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
Grated zest of 1 orange
Grated zest of 1 orange
Unsalted butter, at room temperature, for serving
Unsalted butter, at room temperature, for serving

Steps

To make the syrup, bring the muscovado sugar and ½ cup of water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stop stirring and lower the heat to low. Simmer for 3 minutes. Keep warm.
To make the syrup, bring the muscovado sugar and ½ cup of water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stop stirring and lower the heat to low. Simmer for 3 minutes. Keep warm.
To make the pancakes, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-size bowl, and make a well in the center. Whisk together the pumpkin, milk, egg yolks, muscovado sugar, melted butter, and orange zest. Pour into the well in the dry ingredients, and stir just until combined.
To make the waffles, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-size bowl, and make a well in the center. Whisk together the pumpkin, milk, egg yolks, muscovado sugar, melted butter, and orange zest. Pour into the well in the dry ingredients, and stir just until combined.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until they form soft peaks. Stir one-fourth of the whites into the pumpkin batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whites.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until they form soft peaks. Stir one-fourth of the whites into the pumpkin batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whites.
Bake in a waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove from the iron and serve hot, with the syrup and butter passed on the side.
Bake in a waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove from the iron and serve hot, with the syrup and butter passed on the side.