Gaufre Liegeoise/Liege Waffle ~~ Belgian Cuisine

Belgian cuisine is widely varied with different significant regional variations which reflect very much with the cuisines of neighbour countries  France, Germany and the Netherlands. It is sometimes said that Belgian food is served in the quantity of German cuisine but with quality of French food. Outside the country, Belgium is best known for its chocolate and beer.Belgian cuisine traditionally prizes regional and seasonal ingredients, leading to distinctive dishes like carbonade flamande in Flanders or the couque biscuit of the town of Dinant.Belgians typically eat three meals a day, with a light breakfast, light or medium sized lunch and large dinner.Belgium not only famous for their chocolates and beers, their waffles have their important place, especially this street food is one among the Belgain street food been sold everyday in large quantities. We had an experience of having this authentic Belgian waffles when we went to Brussels during our last summer trip.Since waffles is one of the famous street food, you can see few variations depedning upon the region of this country. I replicated the Brussels style waffles at home many times but however the Liege waffles are the best and most favourite of my kids. Obviously when i picked Belgium for the alphabet B for this month's long blogging marathon, i know i'll be making this Liege waffles at home, as this is waffles are in my to do list since a long.

The speciality of this Liege waffles is the chunks of pearl sugar. This special type of sugar caramelizes on the outside of the waffle when cooked in waffle iron. Pearl sugar caramelized on the waffle is the key to a delicious Liege waffle. This process makes the waffles sweet enough to eat plain, as they do in Belgium.Eventhough making of this waffle at home is bit time consuming, i enjoyed thoroughly making this delectable Liege waffles as it is worth to try at home.This waffles stays prefect for more than three days in room temperature but trust me they will vanish very quickly than one can imagine.This post goes to this month's long marathon with Around the world in 30days as theme.

2+1/2cups All-purpose flour
1 +1/2 tbsp Light brown sugar
1+ 3/4tsp Active dry yeast
1/2cup Lukewarm milk

1/2tsp Salt

2nos Eggs (beaten)
1tsp Pure vanilla extract
1/2cup Unsalted Butter (melted )
1 cup Belgian pearl sugar

In a small bowl, whisk the brown sugar and yeast into the lukewarm water, let stand until foamy for about 5 minutes.

In the bowl, mix the flour with the salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl, pour in the yeast mixture.

Mix it with your hands, add the beaten eggs, mix everything for a while.

 Whisk the vanilla with the melted butter, gradually mix in the butter and knead the dough for a while.

Knead well until the dough turns soft.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2hours.

Stir the pearl sugar into the risen dough. Cover again and let rest for 15 minutes.

Make medium sized balls from the dough,keep aside.

Preheat a Belgian waffle iron and brush it with melted butter.

Drop the already prepared dough balls, close the waffle iron and cook until the waffles turns golden brown.

Remove and transfer the waffles to plates or keep them warm in the oven.

Serve.

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