Waffle Window Party

Do you have a favorite unique local place you love to eat?

My friend Richard lived in Portland, Oregon for a time and fell in love with a place called The Waffle Window. Being the foodie that I am I longed for the chance to try the sweet and savory waffles he would describe to me. Seeing as how I don't think I'll be able to get to Portland any time soon, I decided to bring the Waffle Window experience to my own backyard.

I kept things pretty casual because The Waffle Window is exactly how it sounds. There's not fancy indoor seating or even plates. Orders are taken to go or eaten right outside. I adore any reason to sit on my deck and this was the perfect day to do it. It was overcast without raining and a comfortable temperature.

The Waffle Window offers a unique variety of toppings to their already unique Liege style waffles. Liege waffles use Belgian pearl sugar to create a super sweet, crunchy waffle unlike any you've ever had. I love a crunchy waffle and this was hands down the easiest, most delicious way I've ever found to achieve it. The giant pearls of sugar melt and crystalize as the waffle cooks creating pockets of crunchy sweetness. With the topping selection being so extensive I decided to narrow it down to three options for our party and recreated The Three B's, The Whole Farm, and the Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipped Waffle.

The waffle dough is uniquely thick and sticky. I doubled the recipe to feed a crowd. It starts with a yeast rise.

Risen.

After that the sugar pearls are mixed in and balls of dough are placed on a hot waffle iron. You don't need to fill your machine as much as if you're making regular waffles because these are so thick and satisfying.

After just a few minutes you have a waffle ready for toppings or tasty enough to be eaten plain. Be warned! Melted sugar is hot and you should probably wait a few minutes before taking a bite.

The first waffle I made was The Whole Farm. A myriad of toppings create a towering feast guaranteed to satisfy.

Next came the vegetarian version of The Three B's. The B's are usually bacon, brie, and basil. Tomatoes were swapped in for the bacon and peach jam was served on the side, as you would find at the actual Waffle Window.

I also made myself an authentic Three B's with the bacon on it. I couldn't believe how well this surprising flavor combination worked.

It was a very difficult choice as to which dessert waffle I wanted to make, but in the end I definitely chose wisely. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipped Waffle was out of this world. I have to admit I also tried a bit of waffle with brie and chocolate on it and it was sensational.

Recipe

My husband is obsessed with his french press and used it about six times today. We always choose a local brand of coffee.

I enjoyed finding local gems for a lot of the ingredients I used for the party.

I got my black pepper bacon from a meat market down the street from the house I grew up in. They source local livestock and do the processing in house.

Not being much of a canner myself, I purchased a peach jam that didn't have to travel far to reach my belly.

Basil doesn't get any more local than the pot that sits on my deck.

My daughter, licking pepper off her fingers after ingesting many strips of bacon.

My son's chubby little baby fingers, coated in sugar waffles.

I want to give a huge thanks to Foodbuzz for selecting this party for their 24x24. Truth be told I would have held this party whether they accepted me or not because these waffles were just begging to be eaten!