When my daughter Madeleine was nine years old, she gave me an electric waffle iron for Christmas. This always makes me smile to think about, because, waffle lover that she is, the iron was really as much a gift for her as it was for me.

In those days, mornings were hectic. I would get Madeleine off to school, then race to the cafe, or the catering kitchen, so we reserved waffle making for Sundays or special occasions. I can remember numerous birthday slumber parties followed by big birthday breakfasts. I’d set up my work station, and the girls, a bit bleary-eyed from all-night Twister, giggly Truth or Dare, or a staged production of “Murder, She Wrote” would shuffle into the kitchen as I turned out waffle after waffle after waffle.

Waffle making diminished after Madeleine went off to college. The trusty iron, with drips of batter permanently annealed to its sides from overzealous pours, got relegated to the stove’s bottom drawer. Whenever she was home for the holidays, though, I’d rifle through the collection of cookie sheets and pot tops, and resurrect the maker.

Waffles had become part of a homecoming tradition.

Even in recent years. Bill would ask, “Why do we only have waffles when Madeleine is here?” I’d have to smile and shrug.

That waffle iron began showing its age, and got rather “tippy.” One of the feet had broken off in an accidental nudge off the counter. At some point, the hinge mechanism had sprung, so it was a balancing act, trying to level the iron, prop the lid, and pour the batter. Eventually, waffles would mercilessly stick, and after a twenty year run, we retired the iron.

But the tradition? No way! A new waffle iron appeared under our tree a couple of Christmases ago, courtesy of the waffle-loving girl. And, because today is that girl’s birthday, I’ve made some waffles—easy, healthy, delicious—for all of us.

Happy Birthday Madeleine!

These waffles are embellished with some butter, yogurt, and strawberries in syrup

HONEY BUCKWHEAT WAFFLES

1/2 cup Buckwheat Flour
1/2 cup Unbleached White Flour
1/2 t. Baking Powder
1/2 t. Salt
1/4 t. Baking Soda
1 large Egg
1 c. 2% Milk
2 T. Vegetable Oil (I used Olive Oil!)
1 T. Plain Yogurt (Greek Yogurt is extra nice!)
1 T. Honey

Regular Waffle Iron, heated

Butter
Maple Syrup, or
Strawberries in Syrup

Sift dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with milk, yogurt, and honey. Add this to the dry ingredients, stirring so until well combined. Do not overbeat.

Spoon onto heated waffle iron and cook.

Makes 6 luscious waffles.

1. Tracy Says:
   September 14th, 2010 at 9:23 am

   I remember the wobbly waffle iron my parents used when I was growing up. The bubbly batter. The smell. The butter and syrup pooling. Warm and fuzzy nostalgia :)

2. Christine @ Fresh Local and Best Says:
   September 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am

   Madeleine is such a beautiful name, perfect for a sweet waffle loving gal. I’ve never added yogurt to a waffle batter, I will have to try it – I trust that your family is a waffle expert.

3. gg loyd Says:
   September 14th, 2010 at 12:13 pm

   You’ve inspired me to instill a waffle tradition for Metta and Rainer!

4. foodonfifth.com, Teresa Blackburn Says:
   September 14th, 2010 at 8:18 pm

   Now I must say that I would like one of those lovely waffles…right now at 9:17pm on a Tuesday night. Buckwheat waffles for dinner…they look so yummy. Lucky Madeleine.

5. Faith Says:
   September 15th, 2010 at 5:11 am

   Food with sweet memories just taste better, don’t they? These look amazing! Happy Birthday to Madeleine!

6. Barbara Says:
   September 15th, 2010 at 5:24 am

   One of my favorite pancake recipes is made with buckwheat flour. Can’t imagine why I didn’t think to try buckwheat flour for waffles! These look delicious!

7. gigi Says:
   September 15th, 2010 at 6:46 am

   how how sweet !!
   happy birthday madeleine!!

8. heather Says:
   September 15th, 2010 at 7:16 am

   Yeah for waffles and for birthdays! I love your story Nancy and I can’t wait try these. Happy Birthday Madeleine!

9. K-Run Says:
   September 15th, 2010 at 7:58 am

   What a wonderful story and a great recipe for such an outstanding Birthday Girl! Happy Birthday Madeleine!!

10. Mary Says:
    September 15th, 2010 at 8:38 am

    How wonderful that you continue the tradition. The waffles look absolutely delicious. I hope you are having a great day.

11. nancy Says:
    September 15th, 2010 at 8:46 am

    A very sweet tradition! These waffles look delicious. I love the buckwheat and honey combination. Happy birthday to Madeleine!

12. Fluffy Says:
    September 15th, 2010 at 9:50 am

    very sweet tradition, but why do we only have waffles when Madeleine is home??????????
    I hope Madeleine enjoyed my song on her birthday

13. Madeleine Says:
    September 15th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    Thank you for the special waffle post, Momma! And thanks for all the birthday wishes, blog-friends! I do LOVE Momma’s waffles!

    She omitted from the story that a few years back, I had a special present under the Christmas tree– a waffle maker just for me!

    Since I have my very own waffle maker, I will most definitely use this recipe this weekend. I can nearly taste these yummy waffles through the screen!!

    Fluffy– I very much enjoyed my special birthday song. Thanks for singing it! :)

14. FOODESSA Says:
    September 16th, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    Today, I ventured into buying my very first crockpot…something ‘el cheapo’ and very basic just to see if I’ll really use it. Next in line is probably going to be a waffle maker because both Hubby and I love weekend breakfasts…great times around food…aren’t we all great foodies?!?

    Nancy, by the look at these ingredients…the waffles must be extra tasty ;o)and I’m sure I’ll get these made in thoughts of you and your young Madeleine ;o)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

15. Cristie Says:
    September 17th, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    I loved the story. Just loved it. And thanks for the use of olive oil and Greek yogurt, two of my favorites. I can’t wait to make these waffles, I’ll try and report back.

16. Tammy Says:
    September 18th, 2010 at 10:14 am

    Beautiful story Nancy and I love your photos too. When I do waffles, I always do extra as they’re so nice to have in the freezer on a busy morning. Happy Birthday to your daughter.

17. Juliana Says:
    September 20th, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Happy Birthday to Madeleine! And the waffle looks awesome…what a lovely way to celebrate birthday :-), very nice post!

18. my little expat kitchen Says:
    September 21st, 2010 at 6:50 am

    Happy (belated) Birthday to Madeleine with whom I share the same name (Magdalene is Madeleine in Greek).
    Your waffles look just like waffles should look, i.e. amazing!
    I’ve been eying a waffle iron recently, if I get eventually get it I’ll make these.
    Magda

19. Michele Napoli Says:
    September 21st, 2010 at 7:36 am

    Delicious waffles. Wonderful tradition.

20. Denise | Chez Danisse Says:
    September 21st, 2010 at 8:55 am

    I love that story. And now I want a buckwheat waffle.

21. Kath Says:
    September 21st, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Oh I love it. My 6 year old asked me about waffles the other day and I have been thinking about getting a waffle iron, you have convinced me that it is a good idea. Perhaps we can make it a tradition in our house too.

22. Waffles | The Ordinary Cook Says:
    December 6th, 2010 at 8:06 am

    [...] while back I was reading Nancy’s wonderful blog Good Food Matters and she was saying about the memories created by a waffle maker (check out the post, it really is [...]