My goal this coming year is to find recipes that are pared down for just one or two people. I love to cook, but I’m not necessarily a huge fan of leftovers, and most of the recipes I make are geared for 4 or more people. I stumbled across The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook on Amazon (published by America’s Test Kitchen), and I decided to give this book a try.

The first recipe I tried was their buttermilk waffles. I love waffles, but all my recipes make way too much. This one was perfect for just me, and if I decide to fix it for company, I can just double everything. I like that this recipe uses buttermilk powder. Again, buying buttermilk usually means I have lots left over after I use what I need in a single recipe. The powder means I’m not being as wasteful, which means I’m not throwing money away. The only thing I probably “wasted” money on was the seltzer water. It’s not something I typically have on hand, and the recipe only calls for a small amount. I was only able to find a liter-sized bottle in my grocery store, but at less than a buck, I’m not out that much.

Feel free to top your waffles with your favorite topping or maple syrup. I’d canned some blueberry sauce this summer, and it was delicious with these waffles.

Buttermilk Waffles

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup buttermilk powder

1-1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup sour cream

1 large egg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/8 teaspoon good vanilla

2/3 cup seltzer water

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet, spray with vegetable oil spray, and place in oven.

Whisk flour, buttermilk powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Whisk sour cream, egg, oil, and vanilla together in a medium bowl, then gently stir in seltzer. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients. Add seltzer mixture to the well, and stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. (Batter will be lumpy; do not overmix).

Heat waffle iron and bake waffles according to manufacturer’s instructions. (Use about 1/3 cup batter for a 7-inch round iron.) Transfer waffles to prepared wire rack in warm oven; repeat with remaining batter. Serve.

Yield: Serves 2

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