When Courtney from Neighborfood sent out an email about a month ago asking if I’d be interested in participating in a Galentine’s Day post today I immediately wrote back with an enthusiastic yes. In fact, the response was so fast, I didn’t blink, think or check if I was free. A post dedicated solely to a made up holiday from one of the best tv shows currently on air? You bet I wanted in. I almost felt as if Leslie Knope herself possessed me for those few minutes.
In that time frame that I was possessed Leslie whispered to me to make waffles and make sure it has whipped cream. Then reality took over. Yes Leslie I’ll make you your waffles but it’s going to be on my terms.
source/gifstelevision.tumblr.com
Oh, I suppose I should explain what Galentine’s Day is, huh? Well first, shame on you for just not knowing. If you do know, humor me for a moment. Galentine’s Day explained by Ms. Knope herself is “Only the best day of the year. Every February 13th my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
So you see, myself plus my lady friends have gathered today to have our own Galentine’s Day Party. We’ve got your cocktails, your brunch and of course your dessert.
I knew waffles were going to happen but I also wanted to find a way to sneak in something from my other favorite Parks and Recreation character. The one and only Ron Swanson. I know, I know. Today is a celebration of women, but I don’t care -Leslie enjoys a glass of bourbon as much as Ron and they both love breakfast food.
Leslie: “Why would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food?”
Ron: “People are idiots, Leslie.”
I actually doubt either of them would approve of the sweet potato in these waffles but I see it as a nice balance of taking what’s essentially a healthy waffle and adding stuff to make it not as healthy of a breakfast. Sometimes you just have to treat yo self.
Ingredients
- 1 generous packed cup sweet potato, scooped out from 2 medium sized baked sweet potatoes
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup toasted whole pecans
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
Instructions
- In a large bowl mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or with the back of a fork.
- Add the flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder and salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs and melted butter. Pour the liquid ingredients in the dry and stir well until combined to form the batter.
- Prepare your waffle iron according to its instructions and spray with non-stick spray or grease with melted butter. Cook the waffles according to the proper method of your machine.
- Using a spice grinder or mini-prep, grind the pecans until they are finely ground and almost have the consistency of wet sand. If there are some small pieces when you grind the pecans, they can remain. Transfer to a small bowl and mix with the softened butter. You can either place the bowl in the refrigerator to firm up or transfer to a small amount of parchment paper and form the butter into a log. Twist the ends of the parchment to seal and place in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes to firm up.
- Once the waffles are completed and ready to serve, combine the heavy whipping cream and bourbon in a small container and using an immersion blender – blend on medium speed for 1 minutes or until the cream is nice and thick.
- You can also whip the cream in your stand mixer with the whisk attachment or by hand with a whisk in a cold metal bowl.
- Serve the waffles piping hot topped with pecan butter, a generous amount of bourbon cream and maple syrup.
- Makes about 8-10 waffles depending on your waffle maker.
So how about we get to the rest of those Galentine’s Day recipes? How do you plan on celebrating Galentine’s Day today?
Galentine’s Day Drinks
Blood Orange Bourbon Fizz with Fried Sage from Lauren of Climbing Grier Mountain
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Martini from Shanna of Pineapple and Coconut
Ladies’ Night Rum Punch from Lindsay of The Live In Kitchen
Galentine’s Day Brunch
Sweet Potato Cornmeal Waffles with Bourbon Cream and Pecan Butter from Susan of Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Chocolate Dipped Donuts from Angie of Big Bear’s Wife
Lemon and Ginger Scones from Lauren of Healthy. Delicious.
Beet, Blood Orange, and Chèvre Salad from Lori of Foxes Love Lemons
Galentine’s Day Desserts
Piña Colada Cupcakes from Courtney of Neighborfood
Strawberry Chocolate Dessert Bars from Marly of Namely Marly
Banana Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Chocolate Frosting from Nancy of Gotta Get Baked
One Layer Fudge Cake from Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Double Strawberry Angel Food Cake with Whipped Vanilla Creme Fraiche from Cynthia of Two Red Bowls
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Ice Cream with Candied Bacon Bits from Steph of Girl Versus Dough
Fruity Dessert Pizza from Morgan of Peaches Please
Secret-Ingredient Chocolate Pecan Bites (Gluten Free!) from Karen of The Food Charlatan
DIY Cheesecake Parfait Bar from Heather of Heather’s Dish
LOVE this! I’ve been seeing so many great uses for sweet potatoes this year… it makes my heart happy!
And we get to have them with an extra side of bourbon, right?
I bet these would work as pancakes too (which I’m only saying since I have no clue where my silly waffle iron is right now).
Duh. I say, spike the oj with the bourbon. 🙂 I think making these into pancakes sounds like a great idea.
I seriously NEED to watch Parks n rec! Love Galentines Day and loooove savory breakfast waffles! Mmmm!
Yes you do! Best show! Plus you love waffles!
Looks perfect for any day of the week – yum!
Yup, just invited myself to your Galentine’s Day party!
The more the merrier! Grab a drink and a waffle!
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Everything about this looks amazing!!! Of course there has to be waffles at Galentine’s Day, thanks for bringing it!
So fun to party with you today, Susan! Your waffles look spectacular!
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Hubba Hubba!
You know I LOVE all the Parks and Rec references in there. This last episode after Ann and Chris left (TEAR!), Ron said “There isn’t a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food.” I’m pretty convinced these waffles could cure almost anything. Dang girl. Hope you have a fabulous Galentine’s Day!
I really wanted to fit that quote in from the last episode. I so loved it, okay loved the episode but couldn’t figure out a way to make it fit. Seriously though breakfast food is the be all to end all.
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Love these photos and how can we celebrate properly without some awesome waffles! Happy Galentine’s Day to you!
Bwahahaha this post rocks so much, Susan! I’ve never watched Parks & Rec (SHAME ON ME!!!) but now I totally want to because it sounds amazing. I love that we used one of the same GIFs. These waffles are out of control in the best way possible. First of all, YES to the sweet potato cause they’re delicious. Second, ermagawd bourbon cream and pecan butter?! Load it on, woman!
Bourbon and waffles? Sold!!!
These have GOT to be breakfast for tomorrow! I love the animated gif at the end!
These have GOT to be breakfast for tomorrow! I love the animated gif at the end!
I WANT THESE. Like now. ha ha
Um excuse me – where’s your bacon? Ron Swanson needs bacon with his breakfast. Also, waffles are the perfect choice for Leslie Knope and Galentine’s Day.
There is bacon! It’s on the side! Ron would not approve of the bacon being defiled like that. It needs to be enjoyed in its natural state. 🙂
I often wish I had a t-shirt, or maybe even a poster that just said “treat yo self.” But somehow I know it just wouldn’t be the same if Aziz Ansari or Donna weren’t saying it. I need like a gif t-shirt or something. Maybe they will make them someday so that I can live all my Parks and Rec dreams. Here’s to the future.
I have that exact same “people are idiots” quote on my favorite waffle recipe post. Ron and Leslie really know what the world’s all about.
Oh and helloooooo waffles!!! These look amazing! That pecan butter makes me want to die. In a good way.
This just made my weekend breakfast plans infinitely better. YUM.
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LOVE IT!! And now I kind of wish that Galentine’s Day could be everyday. So I could hang out with all my besties and eat fun foods.
Waffles are awesome for brunch. I do love that these have a hint of healthy but are also crazy indulgent. The best of both worlds.
Oh gosh, I really need to start watching Parks and Rec. I don’t know why I don’t. Maybe I can catch up on Netflix and not be such a loser.
How cool is that .gif the syrup pouring over these glorious waffles? You have won my heart with this entire post. Will you be my Galentine?
AAAAAAHHHHH! There are sooooo many things I love about this post! It makes me kind of sad because there is so much we have in common (duh food, pugs, Leslie Knope/Amy Poehler love, breakfast love and of course BOURBON) that we neeeeeed to be real life hang out on the weekend friends. Move to Chicago so we can eat these amazing waffles and drink bourbon while watching a Parks and Rec marathon! PS AWESOME GIF!!!!
We really do need to be closer in real life buuuut I will come out to you sooner rather than later! My uncle just moved to Chicago and I have an open-end invite to come visit. It’s just figuring out a time to go. Of course, he said just wait until Spring or Summer. Ha!
I do love breakfast. A lot. And I’ve only just started watching Parks and Recreation so I’ve not yet reached the Galentine’s Day episode, but this Galentine’s Day Party has me counting the episodes.
So delicious!
OH MY WORD! These waffles, I’m speechless.
These look amazing! And I love the idea of Galentine’s Day, how fun!
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