Plain Belgian Waffles and Variations

Preheat your waffle iron.

Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

In another bowl, beat together the egg yolks and milk. Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture. Gently stir in the oil then fold in the egg whites. Do not overmix.

Pour 7/8ths cup batter onto the grid of the preheated waffle iron (or use the amount called for by the machine manufacturer). Close the lid and cook for 4 minutes or until done. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve hot.

Variations:

Pecan Waffles: Add 3/4 cup chopped pecans to the waffle batter before adding the egg whites. Alternately, you can sprinkle them on the waffle iron grid before adding the batter.

Cinnamon Waffles: Sift 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon with dry ingredients when preparing plain waffle batter.

Apple waffles: Stir 2 cups peeled and diced apple into the waffle batter before adding the egg whites.

Bacon Waffles: Fry, drain, and crumble 8 slices bacon. Add the crumbled bacon to the waffle batter before adding the egg whites.

Corn Waffles: Reduce milk to 1 cup and add 2 cups of canned cream-style corn along with 1 to 2 Tbsp. sugar, depending on sweetness of corn, to the waffle batter before adding the egg whites.

Cheese Waffles: Add 1 cup grated process cheese (Velveeta or American) to the waffle batter before adding the egg whites.

Ham Waffles: Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. finely diced cooked ham over batter before closing waffle iron.