Three Cheese Waffle Sticks

• large eggs, separated↗2
• buttermilk↗1 1⁄2 cups
• unsalted butter, melted↗1⁄3 cup
• all-purpose flour↗1 3⁄4 cups
• cornmeal↗1⁄4 cup
• baking powder↗2 teaspoons
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• fresh ground black pepper↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• shredded parmesan cheese↗1⁄2 cup
• shredded mozzarella cheese or 1/2 cup fontina1⁄2 cup
• crumbled feta or 1/2 cup fresh goat cheese1⁄2 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat a waffle-stick maker or regular waffle maker.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk, and butter.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper.

4. 4

   Using a stand mixer fitter with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites on med-high speed until firm peaks form, 5-6 minutes.

5. 5

   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture, stirring until just combined.

6. 6

   Gently fold in the egg whites, then fold in the three cheeses.

7. 7

   Ladle the batter into the waffle maker, using ½-3/4 cup batter per batch if using a waffle maker.

8. 8

   Spread the batter so that it almost reaches the edges of the waffle maker.

9. 9

   Cook until the waffles are crisp and browned, 3-4 minutes (if using a waffle-stick maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

10. 10

    Using a spatula, remove the waffles from the waffle maker.

11. 11

    Cut whole waffles into quarters, then slice into sticks about 1 inch wide.

12. 12

    Serve right away, or place the waffle sticks on a baking sheet in a single layer in a 200 degree oven for up to 20 minutes before serving.

13. 13

    Serve with hot tomato soup, for dipping.