Crispy Chickpea Patties and Cornbread Waffles

This savory waffle has just a hint of spice that lets it stand up to the tastiest gravy.

SOY-FREE OPTION*, OIL-FREE

TOTAL PREP TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL COOKING TIME: 10 minutes

YIELD: 6 Belgian waffles

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE DRY INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups (210 g) cornmeal
• 1/2 cup (60 g) whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

FOR THE WET INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups (246 g) cooked chickpeas or 1 can (15 ounces, or 425 g), rinsed and drained
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) unsweetened nondairy milk (*use soy-free)
• 2 tablespoons (14 g) ground flaxseed mixed with 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water
• 6 Baked Crispy Chickpea Seitan Patties

OLD-FASHIONED SOUTHERN PEPPER GRAVY 

• 2 tablespoons (28 g) vegan margarine
• 3 tablespoons (23 g) flour
• 2 cups (475 ml) unsweetened coconut milk or other nondairy milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the waffle iron.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients (cornmeal, whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder). Set aside.
3. In a food processor, combine the cooked chickpeas, unsweetened nondairy milk, and ground flaxseed mixture. Blend until smooth.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix to combine. The batter should be well blended.
5. Place the batter onto the preheated waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Once the waffles are cooked, place a Baked Crispy Chickpea Seitan Patty on each waffle.
7. For pepper gravy, melt the margarine in a sauté pan over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk, lowering the heat. Cook until the flour starts to take on color. Add the milk and increase the heat to medium-high.
8. Keep whisking until the gravy starts to thicken. Take off the heat just before it has reached your desired thickness. It will still thicken a bit more once you take it off the heat. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
9. Serve the waffles with the pepper gravy.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

PER WAFFLE WITH GRAVY

• 275.1 calories; 8.4 g total fat; 3.2 g saturated fat; 7.5 g protein; 45.1 g carbohydrate; 11.1 g dietary fiber; 0 mg cholesterol.