Contrary to many outlandish wedding registries, some kitchen tools have a very obvious spread of functionalities. You can use them to prepare a bunch of food. Other appliances have secret superpowers. Take, for instance, the waffle iron. You might think that they're useless, unless you live outside the southeast and miss Waffle House something bad (which is valid). You'd be so wrong. There are lots of things you can make with a waffle iron besides just waffles.
We're deep into wedding season now, and with that comes learning about your old college roommate's preferred thread count and which ~party games~ she and her partner consider necessary for their new ~journey together~. Honestly, scoping a wedding registry seems like a horrible adventure in "choose the least loathsome item under $100" (or $20, if we're being honest with ourselves). And it's over quick, so you don't get stuck shipping exactly one (1) hand towel and one (1) Apples to Apples board game as physical representation of your enthusiasm over an estranged cousin's success in trapping another human to spend all of eternity with them. Instead, I say: Buy everyone waffle irons. And buy yourself one while you're at it. No one has time to wait for their soulmates just so they can finally get this highly dope kitchen appliance. Because have a look at what's possible with waffle irons:
Brownies
The waffle design makes it super easy to break off hunks by the quarter, so you can continue to delude yourself into thinking you won't eat the entire thing. Here's a good recipe for starters.
Grilled Cheese
This photo actually made me stop what I was doing and momentarily lose track of my physical being. Grilled cheese in a waffle iron is very simple if you know how to make a grilled cheese in not a waffle iron, but still, please keep reading for your health. Preheat iron to medium-high. Butter two slices of bread. Toss one in the iron and stack with cheese (add avocados and jalapeños for next-level sandwich game, as shown in the genius Instah above). Top with the other slice of bread and gently shut the iron for about seven minutes. Boom. You're welcome.
Falafel
I cannot stop trying to say "waffled falafel" over and over in quick succession. Try it! And when you're done with that, try this vegan recipe.
Cinnamon Rolls
OK, technically this negates the "roll" part, but it's one of the easiest foods to prepare with a waffle iron. Here's the skinny on what to do once you procure a tube of pre-made cinnamon rolls.
Biscuits and Gravy
A geometric spin on a Southern classic. Scope out how to recreate it here.
Banana Bread
I am actually drooling. Recipe lives here.
Frittata
Too real. See a recipe here.
Pizza
Kinda like the cinnamon roll tip, you can purchase pre-made pizza dough and toss that baby in, topping it whatever when it's done. More details on that here.
French Fry Miracles
LOOK AT THIS RECIPE IMMEDIATELY. Then make it. Then call me. I did not include a photo of this recipe because I feel the face above is much more telling.
Images: cheeseslave/Flickr; Giphy
