Sometimes dawn seems overwhelmingly bright even though it creeps up on us slowly. The chirp of birds warns us its coming, as as traffic picks up and the light shines in, I can recall my mother coming in and throwing back the curtains while saying, “Birds are singing, sun’s shining! You’re burning daylight!” It was her wake up call every morning and I can’t even begin to explain how much it pissed me off.
Whether by design or programming, I am not a social person in the morning. I wake up and want a solid hour to myself before I have to have any human interaction. My shower, my tea, my email, my pets and I guess I’ve been that way longer than I realize because nothing would irritate me more than those curtains letting the blinding light from the sun in and her chatter demanding that we start the day.
Don’t you know now, it’s the one expression that will never leave my mind. Every morning I wake up and try to remind myself how blessed I am, how awesome the day is going to be, and what sort of adventure I can find.
We didn’t have money or stability. We were one of ‘those families’ as an ex’s mother so delicately put it. But now that no one is there to swing open those curtains, I understand why she did it. My parents were divorced and I didn’t spend all of my time at one house or the other, it was divided, and as I got older and could make my own decisions, my choice was to spend less time with my mom. Even as her stability came and went, I didn’t spend more than a weekend here or there with her. I hadn’t seen her in 7 years when she passed.
So now, I think about those curtains flying open and her need to not waste a moment with me and I realize that my mumbling and whining about wanting to sleep in was so ridiculous. And even though I try to let Handsome sleep as long as he wants on his days off, I’m awake, out of bed, sitting in my solitude and listening to those birds, looking at that sun, and trying to figure out how to best make the day worth it. Today, it’s a random drive to no where just because.
On to the recipe: I hated it. Not because these were not good waffles, they were, but because who wants to toast oats, whip out a food processor and beat egg whites to soft peaks for a bloody waffle? That’s just craziness. I am guilty of never reading a recipe before I start but how complicated can waffles be right? If you are one of those magically blessed perky people who doesnt mind about 20 extra steps before breakfast – these are for you. In the meantime, I’m buying a box of Eggos.
Oatmeal-Honey Waffles
from Southern Living 2008 Annual recipes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked oats
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teas baking powder
- 1/2 teas salt
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1 1/2 cup low-fat milk
- 4 tbs melted butter
- 2 tbs honey
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking pan with aluminium foil and spread oats over pan evenly. Bake 10 minutes, stirring often, until the oats are lightly toasted. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Pulse oats in a food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds.
Preheat a waffle iron and spray with non-stick spray if needed.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and ground oats.
In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the egg whites at high speed until soft peaks form.
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, milk, melted butter, and honey; stir into oat mixture. Gently fold the egg whites into the oat mixture.
Pour about 1/3 cup batter onto waffle press and cook until golden. Serve with butter and syrup if desired.
Belinda @zomppa says
You’re burning sunshine…that is a great quote. I do like that bit of time in the morning to check email and stuff b/c once the rest of the world stirs, it’s greater distractions left and right. Though I was the annoying kid (still am) that wakes up before the sun rises much to the chagrin of everyone around me. I have learned to NOT try and wake them up, and worse, NOT to talk their ear off as soon as I see an eyelash stirring.
Krys says
I have my great grandmothers recipe for waffles that also requires beating the egg whites. But from my mom I learned to make a full batch of waffles on a Sunday Morning (sometimes a double batch), let them cool and stack and seal them in a ziploc freezer bag in the freezer. Then for the next two weeks my kids can pop one out of the freezer bag and put them in a toaster.
so much better than eggos….
looking forward to trying this one as well….
Toby @ Plate Fodder says
With us, it was the snap of the light and my dad’s gentle (but insistent) drumming on the door frame – the most irritating sound in the world at six in the morning. It’s odd how you brought that up this morning. As I padded down the stairs to start breakfast, for no reason I stopped at Jane’s room, flipped on the light and drummed my fingers on the door jamb.
Those waffles are like that cookbook where every recipe began “Early in the week” or “Three days before…” I’m with you sista, grab your keys and lets get some Eggo’s.. daylight’s burning…
ping says
I so need to get myself a waffle iron. I must be the only one without one. These are great looking waffles!
Not a morning person here 🙂 but I could be … it just depends on what’s in store for that day!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These are just lovely. Think plain rolled oats would do the trick here too?
Sandra's Easy Cooking says
Finger licking good!!! Prefect!!! got to pin it!!!!!
RavieNomNoms says
I LOVEEEE waffles. Just had some for dinner the other night. These look amazing!
Catherine says
Dear Kita, these waffles look delicious! What a wonderful treat in the morning! Blessings, Catherine
Mary Ellen @ Pâte à Chew says
These look like the perfect breakfast. I wish I had some right now!
Choc Chip Uru says
What stunning waffles – considering the oatmeal aspect they are relatively healthy so I will take 5 thanks 😉
Yum!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Double Jaffa Nutella Fudge Cookies + More
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Like me, my mom was never a morning person, so thankfully she stuck to throwing open the door and flicking on the lights (and I’m pretty sure even that much was a huge effort for her). Having dated a couple of early birds, though, I can totally relate to how annoying it can be to deal with someone so perky and awake first thing in the morning. It’s definitely not easy! 🙂
BTW, what do you mean by “whole wheat oats”? Since oats and wheat are totally different grains, I’m not sure if it’s just a typo for “whole grain oatmeal” (which I have in my pantry) or if I need wheat grains that have been pressed into oatmeal-like flakes (which I’ve never seen before). I’m really intrigued by this recipe, so I’m dying to try it out!
Kita says
I need to look at the oatmeal container when I get home. Im sure its whole grain but now Im curious as to what the heck I was looking at when I was writing this.
Kiri W. says
I officially am moving in with you so you can cook for me. If there’s anything i love, it’s oatmeal with honey 🙂
Stephanie says
I’m not a morning person either. Like you, I need my ‘me’ time!
These waffles look great, even if they were a lot of work!
Kim Bee says
First I like the recipe, it looks really good.
Second I wish you had a perfect childhood but I think it’s good you’ve made the imperfections life changing.xx
myfudo says
I will be visiting my parents this weekend…Just an overnight stay at the house where I grew up in. The house I miss every now and again, My mom loves waffles and I bet she will be touched if I prepare something as delicious as this. Thanks for sharing!
akaangrywhiteman says
Whole wheat oats, a very rare and much sought after ingredient after the publishing of this delicious recipe. 🙂
Kita says
You have no idea.
Roxana GreenGirl { A little bit of everything} says
i come from a divorce family and was passed from one parent to another. Don’t quite remember the waking up routine, but I remember during the high-school and collage years I hated getting up early. Now, I’m up at 6 and seems like the day is longer.
So sorry to hear these pancakes didn’t turn out as expected
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
Mmmm, these waffles look wonderful! Perfect for this coming weekend’s Saturday morning breakfast… 🙂
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says
I’ve been seeing tons of waffle/pancake recipes on different blogs this week…we all must have been on similar brainwaves this past weekend! I can only handle the extra waffle steps if I’m making waffles for brunch or dinner…first thing in the morning I am totally with you. These sound great, though!
alyce culinary thymes says
I like oats in my pancakes. yum.
Samantha says
yay! A new waffle to add to my obsession. These look amazing!
Cookin' Cowgirl says
Girl, you’re speaking my language with these! I will have 2 for breakfast tomorrow please! 😉 Buzz Buzz!
Jill Colonna says
Good to hear I’m not alone with being grrrrrumpy in the mornings. Although the birds singing…. what a funny quote your Mum used to say. Yep, lots to be thankful for, and thank heavens for waffles. Now who could start on the wrong foot with these and the aromas wafting from the kitchen. That’s what memories are made of! Great read.
Aruna says
I’ve been looking for a healthy alternative to Eggos, and these look awesome! I read your blog, and totally agree with you about mornings, so I’ll try to make these the night before – as a dessert/snack – so that they’re ready for me in the morning.
Kaitlin says
Not sure how you managed to make waffles look so awesome but bravo! I think I know what I’m making this weekend…
Liz says
LOL…I love your honesty with this recipe review! Yeah, I think waffles should be easy comfort food 🙂 But they sure look delish!
Michelle says
A friend of mine always says “we will turn into our mothers” and I always sort of roll my eyes at it. Don’t know why it is, every daughter doesn’t want to become their mother, but as we grow older we see them in ourselves. I find myself doing or saying things that would have come out of my mothers mouth and now I smile. So, enjoy that sunshine…she’s watching 🙂 and those waffles….i’m that perky morning person who wouldn’t mind the extra steps.
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee says
my camp couselors would blast NKOTB. You couldn’t be annoyed with that much perky early 90’s music.
good point about the recipe. seems like a lot of work!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I’m going to make these for breakfast tomorrow! How many waffles does this recipe make?
Kita says
Sadly, I do not recall. Looks like I’m gunna have to whip up some waffles and find out! (sorry!! but i hope you enjoy them anyway!)