Happy new year!! I feel like I am still in shock that 2014 went by so quickly. Also, the amount of things that happened in it was kind of insane, at least in the Kosmas Flores household. This time last year, I had no idea I’d buy a house, move back to Oregon, start writing a cookbook, have two workshops, have a small flood in the basement of said new house, get another dog, and complete a very prolonged and nightmarish kitchen remodel. But, it all happened! And sometimes I am still left scratching my head as to how it all ended up working out as well as it did, but I am grateful nevertheless.
And I want 2015 to be as productive as last year, but just maybe not in the mega-change/super-stressed manner of 2014. More like small, enjoyable new activities, like taking up whittling as a hobby (yes, I am becoming more and more like an old Greek man with each passing day and I love it). Also, I’m going to start doing more videos again. Just short fun ones. I’m also going to be doing more workshops with Carey (Asheville, North Carolina in March and Cape Cod, Massachuttes in May! Registration opening soon!!) and we’re starting a food geek podcast together that I am so so SO excited about (nothing gets my blood flowing like a couple of food nerds jabbering about the history of hard tack.) So, there is a lot to look forward to. A lot to get done, to be sure, but still a lot to be excited about.
I’m also going to try to take better care of myself this year, this means breakfast every day with tea and a vitamin. Also, staying hydrated, rather than running around a hot kitchen for 5 hours and suddenly realizing that I haven’t drank anything since morning, which is my current go-to routine. I’m setting the bar pretty low for myself, since I tend to get wrapped up in whatever I have to work on that day and forget about the important things, like taking the dogs out and eating not chicken for every single meal (not that there’s anything wrong with chicken, I love chicken and that’s why I’m writing a book about it; I didn’t even start to get tired of it until over a month straight of eating it. But still. It’s just….so much chicken. I need a cookie.)
So I feel like if I at least start the morning well, I’ll feel better throughout the day and not as much like a deflated ballon by the time dinner comes around. We’ll see how it goes. Do you guys have any new year’s resolutions? If so I would love to hear them! I feel like putting them out there into the world motivates you a little more to actually follow through with them. Seeing it up there in writing makes it feel a bit more real.
So, I decided to start out my breakfast resolution with a bang, and made these insanely delicious waffles. They’re like a tropical breakfast paradise, a creamy mai tai in pleated sweet bread form. I used whole coconut milk in the waffles which added the most subtle coconut flavor and soooo much moisture and richness. That was paired with a homemade lime curd and cardamom whipped cream, plus maple syrup and toasted coconut flakes over the top. You take your fork, mix all the toppings together, smear it all over the waffles, and inhale it like your coming up from a deep-sea dive. That’s what I did, anyway, because it was SO DAMN GOOD.
You know how sometimes it’s hard to put into words how much you love a person? Like, how could I really express to my mom how much I love her? I feel like this is the dish you make and surprise someone with to let them know without having to actually say anything. One bite, and they’ll just know. I also used Nell & Mary’s gorgeous napkins for this shoot, they’re handmade here in Portland, Oregon and come in the most pleasing designs. A bit of pacific northwest native American meets scribbly modern geometric, my favorite is the feather cities pattern but they’re all gorgeous. And the sweet Nell & Mary are offering up a napkin set of feather cities indigo and brush weave indigo to one of you! To enter, please use the rafflecopter widget below. Best of luck, friends, and happy new year!
Coconut Waffles with Lime Curd & Cardamom Whipped Cream
Ingredients
Coconut Waffles
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon flake kosher sea salt
- 3 eggs yolks and whites separated
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 3/4 cups canned coconut milk full fat
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- maple syrup for garnish
Lime Curd
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lime zest finely grated
Toasted Coconut Flakes
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut can be sweetened or unsweetened
Cardamom Whipped Cream
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
Lime Curd
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In the top of a double boiler over gently simmering water, whisk together all of the lime curd ingredients. Continue whisking until the mixture has noticeably thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and place the top of the double boiler in an ice bath to help the lime curd cool.
Toasted Coconut Flakes
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To toast the coconut garnish, evenly spread out the coconut flakes in a medium-sized skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the coconut flakes appear golden around the edges, remove the pan from heat and empty them onto a separate plate so that they do not continue to toast while resting in the hot pan. Set aside.
Cardamom Whipped Cream
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Whisk the cream in the bowl of an lee torc mixer at medium high speed until it begins to thicken. Gradually sprinkle in the sugar, vanilla, and cardamom. Continue mixing until it can hold a soft peak. Turn off and set aside.
Coconut Waffles
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Now it’s time to make some waffles! Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Turn on your waffle maker and get it heated up according to the manufacturer’s directions. While it is heating, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium-sized bowl until combined and set it aside.
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In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until smooth, then add the coconut milk, regular milk, butter, and vanilla extract and whisk until completely incorporated. If you are using canned coconut milk and it has separated into a thick white layer and an opaque watery later, pour the entire contents of the can into a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring, until the white layer dissolves into the clear liquid. Set aside to cool to room temperature before using.
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Stir the dry ingredient mixture into the batter until it is barely combined, taking care not to overmix the batter.
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In a separate medium sized bowl, beat the egg whites with a wire whisk at high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter until incorporated. Pour some of the batter into the waffle iron until the bottom iron is nearly covered with batter (your waffle iron's instructions should say the measurement of batter needed to fill the iron, mine is 3/4 cup).
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Close and allow to cook according to the manufacturer’s directions, (usually about 2-4 minutes depending on the heat of the iron). Do not open the waffle iron to peek until 2 minutes have passed. When the steam coming out of the waffle iron has decreased significantly, it is a sign that your waffle is nearly done.
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Remove the waffle from the iron, lay it on a baking sheet, and place it in the oven to keep warm. Repeat this process with the remaining batter and continue adding the waffles to the pan in the oven as you finish cooking them to keep them nice and toasty. Once the final waffle is made, remove the pan from the oven, plate the waffles, and garnish them with the whipped cream, lime curd, and toasted coconut. Serve alongside a jar of maple syrup.
Really loving that lime curd…these waffles are so pretty!
train for another race!
My resolution is to learn more about essential oils and take steps to get my hubby working from home!
Intentionality.
No resolutions for me…just trying to be as healthy as I can! Maybe stress less…but I try that every year.
Dang, girl, you have had a crazy year! I'm glad everything has worked out for you. I am squeeing over the news that you and Carey are doing more collaborations this year. A PODCAST?!?! Yes. And a workshop in Cape Cod? I am looking for a miracle that would allow me to attend 🙂 I love those linens! My resolution is to get settled into my new house, my new office, and start a new routine. I need stability back! Living and working in the same place again means I can have friends now and do more in my cute coastal community. I'm looking forward to 2015, for sure.
More fruits and veggies!
Wow what a gorgeous breakfast! My resolution is to spend less time on the internet.
my resolution this year is to be more intentional with cooking. i want to push myself to try new recipes and new techniques. and to drink more green smoothies. haha.
to enjoy my life, family and friends
These are literally the most gorgeous waffles I have ever seen, flavor and style wise. This light is breathtaking, really. And my resolution is to live more intentionally. Find purpose in little things and inspiration in the mundane.
Oh, and happy new Year Eva! Can't wait to see what you have in store for the impending future.
I don't make resolutions anymore. I try to live life a tad better than the year before.
My new years resolution is to try and take more time out for myself – I feel that I'm sometimes in overdrive mode haha!! I loved this post – I adore coconut so this is the recipe for me!
It would be a shame to eat these waffles- the setting and photography is perfect and…delicious so yup, I would eat them in the end! Now, I need to find somebody to get out of bed earlier in the morning, prepare the waffles and serve them in bed! 😉
have never made resolutions..ever..and somehow am yet to feel the urge to start making them
I really want to work on myself in 2015.
Love this post… every year I make resolutions and every year only a couple get crossed off. I always have goals (like this year I have to apply to graduate school) but this year I'm not making a resolution and I'm just making a promise to myself to always do the best that I can.
Creative and well done photos. Ahh great blog! Thanks. Eliza
The napkins are stunning! Always love the depth and staging of your photographs.
I want to learn yoga this year.
Leslie:
My resolution is to follow this admonition: If you can't say something nice, hush it.
leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com
complimneti per le foto,buon anno
My resolution is to eat these waffles!
Hello from Sydney! Some resolutions for me are to get more active and enjoy the outdoors a bit more! Also to be more creative in the kitchen, I'm always thinking of things I could make or try but they often never pan out. Just started reading your blog and really enjoying your take on food, farming and travel – 3 things I get really excited about! Thanks Eva! Shannon
You had me at coconut waffles. These look and sound delicious! Happy new year! I hope 2015 is a healthy and happy year 🙂
I'm finally doing the first resolution in my life..losing weight (not original!). I'm about 45lbs overweight at this time..I'm hoping that slow and steady wins the race by the end of this year!
to be honest i have never seen the point of new year's resolution's. why wait until the beginning of the new year to make a change? there is nothing special about a new year beginning that makes it more likely for a change to be made and continued. At least not for me. But hey if they work for others then great!
My resolution is a goal. I need to let go of all of the terrible things that happened in 2014 and live my life to the fullest, moving on in 2015. I need to have the positivity and patience to believe that 2015 will be so much better.
melissa @ treatswithatwist . com
my resolution is to be a little selfish! i've always put others first and i feel like it's burning me out!
these towels are gorgeous!
Th waffles sound delicious and I love the napkins"
Such a beautiful scene. Dying to try these!
http://www.chroniclesoftheseers.com
My New Year's resolution is to cook more, so I can eat healthier. I figured that was a much more realistic goal than to say diet. This way as long as I'm cooking I know it's relatively healthy since I use so few packaged ingredients.
So beautiful! Making more time for reading is something I hope to do in 2015.
I'm definitely making this for a breakfast surprise for my boys when they have to of back to school this week! Thank you 😀
My New Year's Resolutions:
1) Eat healthy food and drink without sacrificing elegance and pleasure
2) Start your photo workshop in one week to kickstart a new direction for my own creative work
3) Engage in creative collaborations with others
Cheers, Yvonne C 🙂
Thanks Eva 🙂
i don't make resolutions but i do have every intention of buying a waffle iron this year–i'd love a batch of these!
I am SO NOT a resolution maker. I'm definitely a list maker, and the new year always comes with new goals, but I don't like the idea of making promises to myself that I may or may not keep.
That being said, sitting down and eating breakfast every day sounds like a darned good idea, and healthy to boot! A handful of crackers at 10 am when I realize I'm starving probably doesn't count. These waffles look and sound amazing.
Work out for at least 30 min. each day. :0 )
Rosebud_96@msn.com
I am going to add weights to my routine, drink lots more water, have daily prayer and devotions, and say no more!
What amazing flavor combinations. My New Years resolutions are to travel more, spend more time developing hobbies and be more diligent with taking my vitamins. Happy 2015! Pictures are beautiful, as always.
Lynn | The Road to Honey
http://www.theroadtohoney.com
Must. Have. These. Now!
Great pictures as always! Looks so delicious like every other meal you post! Thank you so much for sharing.
Carpet cleaners Enfield
my resolution is to eat better and spend more time with family.
I'm finally going to use the Atlas pasta maker that has sat in my closet since I insisted we put it on our wedding registry- 15 years ago!!
Gorgeous post! Ahh the tones and color combinations here are just stunning … excited for what 2015 holds for you! xo
these look delectable!
It is always a good idea to keep online cooking recipes written down because you will find many times as you are cooking that you will need to refer back to your tips.
these look sublime… happy 2015 to you! and i've loved nell and mary since finding the shop about a year ago. such great stuff!
These are the most gorgeous waffles I've ever seen. I think a diet of waffles, chicken and cookies sounds pretty good to me! My resolution this year is to be more kind to myself and stop beating myself up about imperfections.
Simply to learn to relax more and take things one day at a time. also to spend more time with good friends and family.
2nd resolution is being healthy me. But this waffle is so delicious must try recipe. Beautifull photograph!
I'm making a resolution to read some new books like: Americanah and The New Jim Crow
My resolution is to run more 5ks and cut my time!
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