Multigrain Waffles with Caramelized Bananas

Don't pay in pounds because you want a delightfully decadent brunch! These waffles are also delicious topped with low-fat ricotta and fresh berries.

Photo: Gregory James, Food Stylist: Jessica Colley

By Julie O'Hara

Serves: 7
Makes: Makes 7 regular waffles (7 1/2 inches round each)
Hands-on time: 20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup spelt flour
• 1/2 cup medium or fine ground cornmeal
• 2 tbsp Sucanat
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3 fresh large egg whites
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
• 1 tbsp safflower oil
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 3 to 4 semi-ripe bananas, sliced (2 cups)
• 7 tbsp pure maple syrup

TIP: If you don’t have spelt flour in your pantry, you can substitute whole-wheat pastry flour.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat broiler to high and position oven rack 8 to 10 inches from heat source. In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, cornmeal, Sucanat, baking powder, baking soda and salt. (TIP: To measure, lightly spoon flour into a measuring cup without shaking cup or packing down flour; level with flat edge of a knife.)
2. In a large, clean bowl (preferably stainless steel), combine egg whites and cream of tartar. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside. Add buttermilk and oil to flour mixture and stir until just moistened. Add half of egg whites and gently fold into batter until just a few white streaks remain (do not over-mix). Repeat with remaining egg whites. Set aside.
3. Preheat waffle iron. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Spread banana on sheet in a single layer and mist with cooking spray. Broil until edges are golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes, reducing broiler temperature to low if browning too quickly.
4. Mist waffle iron with cooking spray, add 1/2 cup waffle batter and cook according to manufacturer’s directions. Repeat with remaining batter, misting iron with cooking spray before each waffle. Serve immediately, topping each waflle with about 1/4 cup bananas and 1 tbsp maple syrup.

Nutrients per serving (1 waffle, 1/4 cup banana slices, 1 tbsp maple syrup): Calories: 279, Total Fat: 4 g, Sat. Fat: 1 g, Carbs: 56 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 24 g, Protein: 9 g, Sodium: 268 mg, Cholesterol: 4 m
g