Waffles are one of my favourite breakfast & brunch foods. They are easy to stack, top, and customize. Introducing the tater tot waffle. That’s right, a waffle completely made of tater tots. Did I just hear your jaw hit the floor?
Tater tot waffles are incredibly easy to make and so tasty. All you need is a bag of your favorite frozen tater tots and a waffle maker.
Let the tater tots thaw in the fridge or microwave them for a few minutes for a quick fix. We loaded a paper plate with a single layer of tots which was just the right amount to fill the waffle maker. If you don’t want to use a plate for reference, just fill the waffle maker grid with a single layer of tater tots (you can put them all the way to the edge, they won’t overflow like batter would when you close the waffle maker).
Lower the top of the waffle maker and cook for 10 minutes until the tot waffle is browned and crispy.
The Test Kitchen topped the #totwaffle – yes, it’s a hashtag now – with a fried egg (egg yolk and crispy tater tots are a match made in brunch heaven), but the taste panel decided there’s not much that wouldn’t be delicious atop this waffle. Shredded buffalo chicken? Absolutely. You favourite chili and a heaping helping of cheese? No doubt. Whether you are taking your at-home brunch menu to the next level or incorporating it into your weeknight dinner routine, you’ll find the family and friends requesting it time and time again.
Arrange tater tots on waffle grid, completely filling grid.
Close waffle maker and cook 10 minutes or until browned and crisp.
Top with favorite toppings.
Note: Tater tots need to be completely thawed in order to press into the waffle grid. They can be defrosted in the microwave oven. For 40 tater tots, arrange in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes.
If Heaven is a place on earth, it’s Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. The French Quarter fixture specializes in cafe au lait and beignets. Beignets are French-style donuts that are square, rather than round, and are covered in powdered sugar – lots of it.
I always have Cafe Du Monde beignet mix and coffee with chicory in my pantry. When enjoyed together they make up a simple weekend breakfast that just can’t be beat.
As you can imagine, when the Test Kitchen decided to combine the two and make coffee beignets with a coffee glaze I couldn’t contain my excitement.
We switched things up a bit and didn’t cover these confections in a mound of powdered sugar (although, you definitely could). Instead, they dunked these steaming, deep-fried delights into a rich, coffee glaze.
The addition of coffee into the dough adds depth of flavour that standard beignets lack. The coffee glaze only heightens the rich coffee flavour and adds a beautiful sheen. Enjoy these coffee beignets with a cup of joe for a breakfast that coffee lovers, native New Orleanians, and brunch-goers alike will enjoy.
Brew coffee on BOLD using 3/4 cup ground dark coffee with 3 cups water. After brewing, set aside 1/2 cup for the glaze.
Beignets: In a large bowl of the stand mixer, combine sugar and yeast. Gradually add 1 ½ cups warm coffee (100-110°F) and let stand 10 minutes or until foamy.
With the stand mixer on LOW, beat in half of the flour, half and half, eggs, butter and salt.
Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Remove from bowl and knead for about 2 minutes, adding flour if necessary to make a smooth and soft dough.
Spray a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Place the dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour. Dough will be puffy but it does not have to double in size.
Glaze: While the dough rises, make the glaze. In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, ½ cup coffee and vanilla extract. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to dip the warm beignets.
Heat oil in deep fryer to 350°F. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into 1 1/2-inch squares. Place wire racks on top of paper towel-lined trays. Drop 4 squares of dough at a time into preheated oil. Fry about 1 minute per side. Remove from hot oil and drain on racks.
Dip warm beignets into the glaze, and set onto wire racks to drain excess.
“How would you like your eggs?” I don’t know about you, but this question always throws me for a loop. How do you expect me to decide between soft, runny poached eggs, or fluffy, cloud-like scrambled eggs? I thought I already had a tough time deciding how to cook my eggs in the morning, then the Test Kitchen introduced me to sous vide egg bites. Thanks to the Hamilton Beach Professional Sous Vide and 6 Quart Slow Cooker there is yet another way to enjoy eggs.
Sous vide cooking is a no-fail cooking method that uses a temperature-controlled water bath to cook sealed food evenly and to desired doneness. To learn more about sous vide cooking, click here.
To make sous vide egg bites, select sous vide mode on the Hamilton Beach® Professional Sous Vide and 6 Quart Slow Cooker and set the temperature to 172 degrees for 1 hour.
Add eggs, sour cream, feta cheese, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend or process until the mixture is smooth, then add roasted red peppers and fresh basil to the mixture and pulse until combined.
We found that 4 oz clear canning jars were the perfect size for our sous vide egg bites. Spray the inside of the jars with nonstick cooking spray then divide the egg mixture evenly amongst the jars. Seal the jars tightly and add them to the preheated water bath and press start.
Once the egg bites are cooked, remove the jars from the water bath and enjoy. The jars can serve as a functional cooking vessel AND an attractive way to serve these cute, individual bites. If you would rather plate your eggs, simply slide a butter knife along the sides of the jars – the eggs will pop right out.
How would I describe these egg bites? Delicate. Silky. Rich. Any word you’d use to describe the perfectly cooked eggs. Whether you are keeping pre-cooked bites in the fridge as an grab-n-go breakfast during the week or serving them at brunch, each and every bite will be egg-cellent.
Sous Vide Egg Bites with Roasted Red Peppers and Feta
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Sous Vide Egg Bites with Roasted Red Peppers and Feta
Select Sous Vide mode on slow cooker and set temperature to 172°F. Set timer for 1 hour.
To a blender or food processor add eggs, sour cream, feta, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Blend or process at medium speed until mixture is smooth, about 20 seconds.
Add the roasted red peppers and basil to the egg mixture and pulse briefly to combine.
Spray the inside of the jars with nonstick cooking spray.
Divide egg mixture evenly among the jars. Seal the jars with the lids.
When water reaches set temperature, add the jars to the water bath and press start.
When cooking time has ended, remove the jars from water bath and open.
If desired, remove egg bites from the jars by gently sliding a butter knife around the edge of the jar and inverting onto a serving dish. Egg bites may be placed under a broiler for a few minutes if a browned surface is desired.
Breakfast casseroles are a great way to feed a crowd, whether it’s your large family or house guests over the weekend. Eggs, potatoes, bacon, cheese, tomatoes and more cheese – what’s not to like? If you need to feed a crowd, put this Spiralized Potato Breakfast Casserole on the table and watch it disappear.
Using your 3-in-1 Electric Spiralizer, spiralize about 2 pounds of baking potatoes. The spirals give this standard casserole a revamped appearance and texture. Microwave the potato spirals in a baking dish before adding the other ingredients. This helps the potatoes get a head start on cooking (they finish while the casserole bakes).
For your egg mixture, using a hand mixer, beat eggs, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper on medium speed. Then add grape tomatoes, cheddar cheese (or a combination of your favourite cheeses), green onion and bacon to the egg mixture and stir. We used pre-cooked bacon as a time-saver but if you have the time in the morning, a little bacon grease wouldn’t hurt this recipe. Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees.
Uncover the casserole and add remaining cheese and dot the top with grape tomatoes. Put it back in the oven to finish cooking for about 15 minutes and you’re ready to serve.
This casserole is a meal in itself, but you could serve it alongside fruit salad or extra pieces of bacon for an extra hearty breakfast. It serves twelve so make sure diners bring their appetites or save leftovers for breakfast throughout the week.
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9-inch microwave-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Using a spiralizer, make spirals of potatoes. Place potato spirals in water to keep from discolouring while spiralizing. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Add potato spirals to baking dish and cover.
Microwave potatoes on HIGH until fork tender, about 3 minutes.
In a large bowl on medium speed, beat eggs, milk, sour cream, salt and coarse black pepper.
Add 1 cup cheddar cheese, bacon, grape tomatoes and green onion to egg mixture. Stir until blended.
Pour egg mixture over potatoes. Cover baking dish with aluminium foil.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Uncover and top with remaining cheese.
Bake until mixture is firm and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes longer.
I think it’s safe to say that the holiday season is the best time of year to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you are drinking hot chocolate, partaking in an all-day cookie baking marathon (I wonder how much cookie dough I’ll eat between now and December 25th?), or snacking on red and green M&Ms, there are plenty of sweets to enjoy. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
You can find me in the kitchen baking cookies, brownies, and pies throughout the holiday season. But the Test Kitchen wanted to add another sweet treat into the mix – fluffy, wonderful waffles. These holiday waffles are sure to satisfy your cravings for a little something sweet this holiday season, morning, noon and night.
Like pancakes, waffles are easily customizable. We loved the idea of combining some of our favorite holiday flavors in waffle batter and mixing up the holiday breakfast routine.
Top gingerbread waffles with a zesty lemon spread or a mound of whipped cream. Gingerbread and lemon is a combination that can’t be beat. Serve with your favorite gingerbread-flavored coffee for an extra seasonal breakfast.
Our pumpkin spice waffles are wonderful during the fall and winter months when pumpkin-flavoured-everything invades grocery stores and restaurants. Highlight the cinnamon in the recipe by topping them with a cinnamon butter and your favorite maple syrup. Bonus points if you make your own pumpkin puree in the slow cooker.
Finally, these red velvet waffles are colour-coded for the holidays. Skip the syrup and top these vibrant waffles with cream cheese icing (move over, cupcakes) or whipped cream for a decadent dessert waffle. Let the kids have fun covering theirs with red and green sprinkles. We highly recommend keeping this recipe in your back pocket until February and decorating these red waffles for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day.
With an ultra flip design, this waffle maker expertly bakes golden brown, fluffy waffles and gives you total flipping control so you can create restaurant-quality results right at home.
