What's The Difference? Belgian Waffle Vs. A Regular Waffle

I was having waffles for breakfast the other day and that got me thinking... What is the difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle? I guarantee by the time you’re done reading this, you’ll have a craving for waffles slathered in butter and drenched in real maple syrup.

Something similar to waffles has existed nearly since the beginning of time. Hotcakes were cooked on heated stones and were flipped so that both sides received heat. Fast forward to the iron age, when someone created iron plates or griddles, that could be used to heat both sides at the same time. And then the waffle was born. Some say it was "In Ancient Greece", that the first known waffle recipe was made. This was around the late 1400s, but it was a waffle in name only. It was a little over a hundred years later that the waffle began taking shape with the familiar grid pattern. There is evidence of waffles being sold by street vendors back in the 1600s.

Originally, the typical waffle iron was a cast iron hinged device that was held over an open fire, patented in 1869, and is why to this day we celebrate National Waffle Day on August 24th. It wasn’t until the 1910s that General

Electric’s electric waffle iron was introduced. Today waffle irons are almost a standard kitchen appliance.

Now to answer the question that everyone has been waiting for... What is the difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle? While both Belgian waffles and regular waffles are considered waffles, there are quite a few differences. The waffles have different recipes, different methods of cooking and are often served differently. When it comes to Belgian waffles versus regular waffles, the two might be different, but they also have one crucial thing in common: they’re both delicious.

The biggest difference is in the waffle maker itself. Belgian waffle irons are larger and have larger squares giving you deeper pockets in your waffle to catch all the delicious pools of butter and maple syrup. But, did you know Belgian waffles are not traditionally served with maple syrup? Wait, what?

Belgian waffles originated in Belgium, a little country nestled between France, Germany, and the Netherlands. They make well-crafted beer and amazing chocolates but are most commonly known for their waffles. In Belgium, the waffle is a traditional street food eaten plan with your hands. The waffle itself is the sweet treat, not the toppings.

It was at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, New York, where the Belgian waffle gained its popularity. They were served embellished with sliced strawberries and whipped cream. A breakfast delight was born.

Back to the big question, Belgian waffles have deep pockets, and more sugar and egg whites are added to the mix. Regular waffles on the other hand have smaller pockets, made with buttermilk that make them more of a cake-like texture. Still very good, just different.

Many people prefer Belgian waffles because the larger pockets allow the waffle to hold many more toppings. You can add lots of butter, syrup, fruit, whipped cream, and more to a Belgian waffle. Yep, it’s the Belgian waffle for me!

Make These: BELGIAN WAFFLES

Ingredients:

2 cups plan flour

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 eggs

1⁄2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

• Oil the waffle maker.

• Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

• In separate bowl, separate egg whites and beat until stiff peaks form.

• In a separate bowl, mix together the egg yolks, milk, oil , and vanilla, stir slightly.

• Add to dry ingredients and mix well.

• Fold in egg whites.

• Cook in waffle iron on medium-high heat for around 5-10 minutes.

Did you know that Friends of Florence County Library provide critical support to library services and collections? This includes supporting children’s literacy through the Children’s Summer Reading Program and the Children’s Bookmobile, as well as by funding the library’s e-books and downloadable audio books (available through the Libby app, which can be found on the library web page at www.florencelibrary.org).

You can become a Friends of Florence County Library member for as little as $15 a year! Visit www.florencelibrary.org and select the Friends tab at the top of the page for more information.

Charleston native Hendrix delivers another vessel of horror rooted from southern culture his newest book, How to Sell a Haunted House. Readers of Hendrix know that he is remarkably at creating a rich narrative driven by character directive in a world that is filled with the abnormal. In How to Sell a Haunted House, Hendrix sends readers to observe siblings Louise and Mark as they work out their issues in order to sell their childhood home after their parents’ tragically sudden deaths.

Anyone that has visited Charleston before will be able to perfectly envision the touches of southern humor and beauty written into this book as Hendrix describes its people and neighborhoods. Even those that have not had the chance to visit will connect with the endless charm of each of the book’s characters, southern wit, and charming depictions of Charleston’s beautiful places.

Hendrix weaves these details into the story so beautifully that readers almost forget the looming sense that something is amiss. Louise, the story’s main protagonist, is the first to notice the subtle hints of peculiarity coming from the remaining possessions of her parents. Perhaps it is the intense recollection of childhood memories flooding her mind or the feeling that no matter where she goes in the home, something is watching.

Nevertheless, Louise must rally herself and Mark, even if his sentiments on the matter are intensely diverse than her own. As the siblings begin to clear out the home, the story evolves into a tapestry that demonstrates the woes that the family has dealt with over the years. Though the more they unpack, the more the remnants of the house awaken.

Readers will fall into this book, finding themselves trapped in its pages as they go along with Louise and Mark. Trying to solve the mystery, there are so many dark twists and turns that are sure to grip anyone’s attention and force them to wonder if Louise and Mark will make it out, or face the same fate as their parents.