Annies Pantry

Hazelnut Belgian Waffles

Blanched hazelnuts are available at selected supermarkets. Or toast hazelnuts, peel on, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven onto a towel; rub with the towel to remove skins. If the skins don't come off easily, toast a little longer.

2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 1/2 vanilla beans, divided
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp. blanched hazelnuts
1 cup flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
2 egg yolks, beaten
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
2 egg whites

Combine the sliced strawberries and 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Scrape the seeds from one-half vanilla bean over the strawberries. Stir together, cover and let stand while preparing the waffles.

Toast the hazelnuts in a 350-degree oven until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature in the baking pan. Coarsely chop one-half cup plus 2 tablespoons of the toasted nuts and set aside. Process the remaining 1 cup of the nuts in a food processor until finely ground.

Stir together the ground hazelnuts, flour, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a bowl.

Lightly beat together the buttermilk and egg yolks. Split the remaining vanilla bean in half and scrape the seeds into the buttermilk mixture.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture. Stir just until all ingredients are almost combined, then stir in the melted butter.

Beat the egg whites to soft peaks and fold into the batter.

Heat a nonstick Belgian waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions, then spray with nonstick cooking spray or brush with oil. Pour the recommended amount of batter onto the iron. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon chopped hazelnuts over the batter. Close the lid and cook until the waffles are browned and release easily from the iron. Repeat with the remaining batter.

To serve, spoon the sliced sweetened strawberries over the waffles and sprinkle with the remaining chopped hazelnuts.

Total time: 60 minutes.

Servings: 6

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