Dark Chocolate Waffles & Oscar Talk

I know, I know, every year I hit ya with some sort of scrumptious appetizer to create for your Oscar party.  This year, I'm a total slacker (where are the days going?) but I have these insanely good waffles to share with you.  By all means, make them for Oscar day - breakfast, lunch, dinner - nothing wrong with that.  I wish someone would invite me to a party where they served waffles.  Hint hint wink wink.  But really this post is just an excuse for Oscar talk, which right now, is the best kind of talk.  

I've been cramming for the Oscars the way you would cram for a final exam, but let's just say this is way more fun than any cramming I had to do in high school.  There has been so much buzz about Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine, so of course I totally rented it this weekend, and of course I totally agree.  One of her best performances, ever.  If anyone will pull an upset, it will be Sandra Bullock, who killed it in Gravity.  I love her so much.  Best actor is what I'm having problems with on my Oscar pool...Mathew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) or Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) or Christian Bale (American Hustle).  I loved them all.  Someone said that Mathew's role is just like How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, but 40 pounds lighter, which I disagree with.  This is the role of his career, and I have a feeling it will be him going all right all right all right at the podium on Sunday night.  His co-star Jared Leto is my pick for supporting actor.  Man bun and all, though who can forget Bradley Cooper and those dreaded home-perm locks in American Hustle?  Supporting actress will most likely go to the stunning Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave.  So raw.  So good.  She stole every scene she was in.  Best Picture is so tough this year!  I have yet to see Nebraska, Captain Phillips and The Wolf of Wall Street, but I think it will be a toss up between American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave.  Personally, I loved Her, very much.  I still think about that movie, weeks later.  I just hope in the future we aren't so friggin dependent on technology to make us happy, or afraid to write our own letters, or God forbid make it okay for men to wear such high wasted pants.  Just giving that a big no right now.  Philomena was really well done - do catch it if you can.  That Steve Coogan is a riot.  Judi Dench is no slouch either.  Alas, the end of my predictions.  Whether you are tuning in because you love the movies as much as I do, or you just want to see what they are wearing, it's sure to be good times.  Alright alright alright...

Now for waffle talk.  Imagine if your favourite chocolate cake and favourite waffle had a baby...well this would be it - a denser, almost cake-like waffle loaded with dark chocolate chunks.  Those lovely craters pool with maple syrup and butter, giving way to a glorious breakfast (or lunch, or dinner ) experience.  Put them on your prettiest plates, and sip your favourite tea.  It's all so civilized.  Except when the cat jumps on the table and gets maple syrup on its tail. 

I had totally forgotten there was a jar of sour cherries preserved in brandy hanging out in my fridge (I know, who am I?) but they were lodged behind a jar of pickles.  Maybe I need to *ahem* clean my fridge *cough cough* more often.  Or maybe I was subconsciously saving them for a day when I would really need them.  Yeah, that's it.  Regardless if you have brandied cherries or not, topping the waffles with butter and maple syrup is requisite.  The rest is up to you.  Whipped cream and cacao nibs are divine, as is any fruit of your choice.  I'm thinking all of those lovely and lush summer berries, come summertime.  Remember summer?  I'm wearing three layers of clothing plus wool slippers and a scarf.  Inside my house.  Summer can't come soon enough.  After Oscar night, there are just a few weeks officially left of winter.  We're on our way. 

Dark Chocolate Waffles

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 large eggs, separated
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp pure vanilla
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate (70% cocoa or more) finely chopped
veg oil for brushing on waffle iron
butter and maple syrup
cherry preserves or fruit of your choice
whipped cream
cacao nibs

Preheat oven to 250*F.  In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk, olive oil and vanilla.  In the bowl of a mixer, beat the egg whites until firm.  Make a well in the bowl with the dry ingredients, stir in the egg mixture just until combined.  Fold in the egg whites, in two batches, mixing just until combined.  Fold in the chocolate.  Heat the waffle iron until super hot, lightly coat with vegetable oil.  Working in batches, spoon batter onto waffle iron and cook waffles until cooked through.  Transfer to sheet tray and keep warm in oven until ready to serve all at once.  Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, cherry preserves or fruit of your choice, a little whipped cream and cacao nibs.  Serves 4-6.  Recipe from Bon Appetit February 2014