Kitchenless Cooking & Savory Waffles!

Ever cooked without a kitchen? Other than camping? Yes, I sound crazy. Sure it seems odd. Why cook without a kitchen? Cooking belongs in the kitchen. It's a room solely dedicated to that task. If someone asked you what you do in the kitchen, your answer wouldn't be playing the piano, underwater basket weaving, oil painting, or reading a good book. A kitchen is for cooking. Pure and simple. 

For the last few months, I and my coworker have been commiserating over our home repairs. Neither of us has a fully functional kitchen. His is due to doorways so small appliances don't really fit through (the downside to buying a 1700s stone manor. don't you feel just so sorry for him and his large estate on the creek with all the wild blackberries growing? yeah, me neither) and mine becasue........well......... see that photo there? Yep. 

See the problem? Cooking is just not going to be happening in there anytime soon. I asked my coworker how he's managed and I've been mulling his answer over ever since. It turns out with all the mini modern day appliances, I can cook just about anything without an actual kitchen. So........I did!

 This is a kitchenless post! 

Sure, it all revolves around savory waffles, but sue me. Waffles. Are. Awesome....and easy. But hey, I made sauces, fried chicken, and chili all without a proper kitchen!!! Just saying, if you have a kitchen remodel in the works but still want to cook, I can help you out. 

But before that........I want a little pat on the back for just how much better my house is looking. Yep. I'm pathetic and I love praise. I do. Praise away. 

living room!

foyer

bedroom

Nice right? But none of this solves the problem of my kitchen. But with a few small "appliances" you can make a meal anywhere.

• crock pot
• toaster oven
• kitchen-aide
• a single burner

If you just take a walk through a Target you realize how many small appliances are made to replace tasks you'd usually do on a stove top or in an oven! I like it! Add to that list a skillet, and a deep frier, a microwave and a dorm fridge and you've a kitchen on a small scale! It means I can cook in my home without my kitchen! To prove it, I made three savory waffle dishes today. I and a few friends are now STUFFED full of food made in the dining room!

First up, waffle sandwiches! The big problem of the kitchenless kitchen is that baking bread in a toaster oven is not so easy. Possible, I did it in college, but not easy. I went to a restaurant a few years ago that used waffles instead of bread! GENIUS! Add in some roast beef, harvati, and tangy horseradish mustard and I'm in love! You can make any sandwich on a waffle! I recommend it.

Roast Beef Sandwiches

buttermilk waffles (see recipe below)
roast beef
harvati cheese
horseradish mustard

Cut waffles in half to create two slices. Put roast beef and cheese on a cooking container. Broil in the oven (or toaster oven!) until cheese is melted. Spread mustard on top slice and assemble sandwich!

These mini waffles were made with this waffle iron. They are bite size and absolutely adorable. These sandwiches would make a lovely appetizer.

Buttermilk Waffles

1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking power
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a bowl, mix all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl mix all wet ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.

Cook per the instructions of your specific waffle iron.

Southern Style Croque Monsieur 

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup whole milk

pinch of ground nutmeg

1 bay leaf

4 corn waffles (see recipe below)

4 pieces of fried chicken (i used this recipe, but used thinly sliced chicken breast, and used a single burner!) 

4 ounces cabot sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup grated cabot sharp cheddar cheese

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir, forming a slurry. Gradually whisk in milk. Add nutmeg and bay leaf. Increase heat to medium-high heat and boil until sauce thickens, whisking constantly, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 

Cut waffles into slices. On the bottom slice place a strip of fried chicken, cover with cheese. Place top slice of waffle on top. Top with sauce and grated cheese. Broil in oven (or toaster oven!) until cheese is browned. 

Corn Bread Waffles

1 3/4 cups flour

1 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 large eggs

In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients. In a seperate bowl mix the wet ingredients. Combine the two and mix until smooth. 

Cook according to your waffle iron maker's instructions. 

Crock Pot Chili and Corn Bread Waffles

2 pounds ground beef
1 16 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon pepper

to garnish
shredded Cheddar cheese

sour cream

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients excepting garnishes . Cover and cook on high for 5 hours. 

Serve atop of cornbread waffles (see recipe above). Garnish individual servings with cheese and sour cream if desired.