The Waffle Fiasco

Learning to Let It Be

We purchased a mid-priced griddle/panini press/waffle maker, which came highly recommended by a plant-based blogger. She lauded its effectiveness, noting that her waffles didn't stick to the plates without using oil. Sure enough, she was right! The gluten-free/vegan waffle recipe came out crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, even Instagram-worthy to share on my story feed. We delighted in the occasional weekend indulgence slathering these lattice treats with almond butter topped with shredded apple shavings. Later, I incorporated dark chocolate chips and blueberries into the batter adding richness to its flavor.

I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but after a couple of years, the combination waffle maker started behaving erratically. Typically, the first batch came out undercooked, despite leaving the temperature dial at the same setting as the previous session. Then, the second round got scorched. I’d cut the time in half for the last one and along with it, a desperate “God help me!” prayer. Sometimes, I lucked out and salvaged the burnt pieces using a quick hack I learned from an Instagram reel by shaving the blackened layer with a fine grater.

It would have been simpler had we disposed of the appliance and purchased a new one. But, our occasional use didn't warrant the expense. I also possess a stubborn, 'solder-on' attitude, persisting even when confronted with frustrations caused by the machine. As for Tina, she always anticipated the worst by preparing a backup oatmeal bowl in case a fiasco ensued.

V/GF waffles + chocolate chips and blueberries. Photograph by Stella Kalaw

We stopped eating waffles entirely for a few years but picked it up again during the lockdowns. So far, no burnt mishaps but the worn-down plates sometimes cause the batter to adhere. The temperature remains erratic but I’ve learned to ignore the green light ready button and allow it to settle for about 5 minutes. Still, the outcomes are mixed. Sometimes, they resemble a pile of crouton-sized pieces after pulling them off the plates. Other times, the temperature stabilizes, and we end up with decent-looking ones, like the photograph above. Last month, we even enjoyed a two-session streak with ALL waffles emerging unscathed—a miracle!

So what’s the point of all this?

Last week, I experienced the usual fiasco. However, what set this day apart was that I no longer felt angry or upset. I was surprised by my reaction! Over the years, I cursed, banged things around, and lingered into a foul mood. I must’ve finally reached a point of acceptance that the appliance will always yield unpredictable results. I finally allowed the waffle maker to just be.

I want to leave you, dear readers, with this heartfelt reflection by

Mary Coffey

I deeply felt every word she wrote. I just had to share it in Notes and write it down in my journal.

Allow.

Allow what is.

There isn’t really any other choice.

So give it no more energy.

Allow what is.

“Allow” is a gentle word, like a warm breeze.

It does not confront.

There is no fight in it.

It flows like water swirling around river rocks that stand in its way.

It allows a different way,

different from what you expected,

different from what you hoped for,

but still, it finds a way forward.

Allow it to be so.

—Mary Coffey

As always, let’s meet each other in the comments section below. Let me know if anything resonated with you on this post.

See you all next Sunday!

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