Ready or Not #25: Waffles and Sausage

Waffles, eggs, and sausage were made specially for Christmas morning. How do I know this? Because that is what my family has eaten every Christmas morning for the last 40 some-odd years that I can remember. I would classify that as a tradition, and it is not one that I plan to change any time soon.

I asked my dad why that was such a special breakfast and he said: “Because your grandma always made it!” I think that she was just a smart mother and was filling her family full of protein (double-up the sausage!) to try and counteract the Christmas morning sugar rush. Dad doesn’t think that is the reason. He thinks that it was just because it was tasty. We’ll just let him keep thinking that. We moms know better (even if we’re the daughters).

Everyday Waffles 1 ¾ cups flour 3 teaspoons baking powder ½ tsp. salt 2 beaten egg yolks 1 ¾ cups milk ½ cup oil 2 stiffly beaten egg whites

Combine yolks, milk, and oil; stir in dry ingredients just until moist. Gently fold in medium stiff whites, leaving a few fluffs. Cook on a hot waffle iron and serve hot. Double or triple this recipe – trust me you will use it.

Homemade Sausage 1 lb. lean hamburger (or pork, or venison, if you prefer) 1 ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground sage ½ teaspoon black pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix together, preferably the night before so that the flavors are more developed. I fry these little patties of heavenly sausage on a medium low heat. Because I use leaner meat, I cook it slower so that it doesn’t get too tough. If you use a fattier meat, like ground pork, you won’t have that problem. I usually use hamburger because that is what I have stored. Try your own different types meats that you have in the freezer.

My dad taught me that the only way to eat waffles, eggs and sausage is to put a pat of butter between the two or three layers of waffles, put the soft-yolk easy-over egg on top of the waffle and then pour the syrup over the egg and the waffle. Serve the sausage on the side.

I about forgot the syrup. Check out the syrup recipe in article #41: Syrup. Pour the syrup over your eggs and waffles, or pancakes – or whatever. Just make sure you enjoy yourself around the table with your family and friends. And don't forget the #31 Hot Chocolate recipe! Merry Christmas.

Dawn