Today’s workout was good.  45 min. Elliptical + 30 min. legs w/o with weights + 50 min. (3.27 mile) walk.  Nice morning with only a few new misses when slipping on the icey roads.

Using our Big Boss Grill , we cooked up some yum-a-licious waffles. 

Molasses Cookie Waffles (so named due to the spices and molasses in the ingredients): Approx. 8 waffles

If you are Vegetarian/Vegan and do not eat eggs, use an Egg Replacer. The waffles will be slightly chewier than if made with eggs.

• 1 cup All purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 TBS baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 egg white (see below about egg replacer)
• 1 whole egg (If using egg replacer, use the equivalent for 2 whole eggs and whisk until frothy with 1/2 cup water. Fold into the batter as the last ingedient added after the wet has been added to the dry).
• 2 TBS Blackstrap Molasses*
• 1 3/4 cup Reduced Fat Milk
• 1/3 cup canola oil (instead of the oil you might try using 1 whole banana to reduce fat)

*Blackstrap molasses contains more iron than regular molasses.  For more on sugar alternatives, see my article in Examiner.

In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flours, salt, baking powder, spices).

In another bowl, mix the egg white, whole egg, molasses.  Add the milk then the oil and whisk until blended.

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, just until incorporated – don’t over mix.

Lightly spray waffle grills with non-stick cooking spray.  Heat the waffle maker and pour approximately 1/2 cup on each bottom grill. Clove cover and cook 5 minutes.

Top with fruit and just a little syrup.

Note:  When you add spices such as cinnamon to foods, it may fool your tongue into thinking the food is sweeter than it is.  The result:   you use less sugar. 

Honey and Whole Wheat Waffles

Joanne

Then Monday happened. Everything came crashing down.  I’ll just mention one thing and spare you all the other details.  My left hamstring began a pulsating pain.  Darn!  That’s my weak point when I start pushing my runs.  I’m going to try to ignore it and hope that on Wednesday, my next scheduled run, it will feel better.

Another drawback to running is that it might just cost you money.  They say it’s one of the least expensive sports, well, read on and see how it can tap into your wallet.

A few weekends ago, I was on the treadmill for a long time running away the miles and watching Info-mercials.  Remember I told you I was a sucker for the BigBossGrill?  That’s where running tapped my wallet….$$$$$

So far we have tried the waffles for Ted. They were wonderful.  Today, I made Banana Mini Donuts following the recipe in the book for Apple Donuts but changing it to suit our tastes. 

This is my recipe:

    3/4 cup all purpose flour
    3/4 cup whole wheat flour 
    1/4 granulated sugar
    1/2 tsp salt

    1 TBS baking powder
   3/4 tsp cinnamon
    1/2 tsp nutmeg
    1/4 cup REAL Maple syrup
    1 large egg
    1 mashed over ripe banana
    1/2 cup canola oil
    1/4 cup yogurt (I used Low Fat “Banilla” by StonyField Farms)

Directions using the BIG BOSS GRILL

Preheat Big Boss with inserted donut plate

The red light comes on when the grill is hot and preheated…

In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and spices.  In a medium bowl, whisk the maple syrup, banana, egg, oil, and yogurt.  Stir into dry ingredient and mix well.

Fill each donut cup with 1 TBS of batter (batter is thick). Close lid and lock. Cook 5 minutes.  Allow donuts to cool before removing from pan.

Add a maple glaze if desired (powdered sugar, maple syrup, and water to desired consistency).

These mini donuts were so good and so easy.  Did you note they only took 5 MINUTES TO COOK?!!! Amazing. I love my new gadget!  BUT… if you don’t have a Big Boss and don’t want to add to your gadget collection, I also used some of the batter and baked in a 375 F oven for 15 minutes.

I don’t want to sound like an “Info-Mercial” but this grill is super.  It comes with grill plates, omelet plates, sandwich plates, griddle plates, waffle plates, and donut plates.  I can’t wait to post some of the future recipes I come up with for this grill. 

What’s your favorite kitchen gadget?

Homemade Mini Donuts

Joanne